Castilian Garlic Soup

What gazpacho is to Andalusia, sopa de ajo is to the plains of Castile and La Mancha—a dish that started life as a poor man’s porridge but that’s gone on to achieve status as the region’s gastronomic symbol. Garlic, bread, smoky paprika, jamón, poached egg, and olive oil (which has replaced the more traditional lard) team up to produce a boldly flavored and quintessentially Spanish potage filling enough for a one-bowl meal.

Tradition dictates that the soup be presented