Ingredients
1 head garlic
1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
4 can stewed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
Preparation
Step 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove papery skin from garlic, leaving heads intact. Place garlic on a sheet of heavy-duty foil; drizzle with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.Step 2Loosely wrap foil around garlic, folding foil edges securely. Roast until garlic has softened, about 40 minutes, then transfer to plate. Open carefully and discard foil; let garlic cool.Step 3Separate garlic into cloves. Squeeze soft garlic from each clove into a small bowl; set aside.Step 4In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat remaining 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Add onion, celery, and roasted garlic. Cover and cook until vegetables soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, 1 cup water, bay leaf, basil, oregano, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes to blend flavors.Step 5Remove bay leaf. In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth.
