Roasted Garlic Soup

5 Slices Crispy Bacon (save bacon fat)
25 Large Cloves of Garlic - Peeled
1 Med/Large Onion - Diced
1/2 Loaf Italian Bread - Ripped into pieces
1 Cup EVOO
4 Cups Chicken Stock
1/2 Pint Heavy Cream
2 tbsp Fresh Thyme
2 tbsp Fresh Parsley

In a Dutch Oven or medium sized pot over med/high heat, add 2 tbsp EVOO and 2 tbsp Bacon Fat.  Add in Garlic and Onions and brown for about 5 minutes.  Lower heat to low/med and add the rest of the EVOO.  Cook for about 1 1/2 hours or until garlic smashes easily w/ a fork.

Add the thyme, parsley, chicken stock and heavy cream.  Cook for about 1/2 hour.  Add in the ripped bread and then blend with an emersion blender.  If you don't have one, put soup into the blender in stages so as not to burn yourself.  Blend until smooth and cook for another 15 minutes on a low simmer.

I topped my soup w/ roasted chicken, crumbled bacon and garlic bread.  The garlic soup becomes a sweet garlic flavor, not overpowering at all.  If you have leftovers it makes a fantastic pasta sauce.