best tomato soup ever

Before you read this post, go over to the Empty Bobbin to see her newest quilt...it's absolutely stunning!

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This soup recipe is almost as delicious as that quilt, so prepare yourselves! :)

I got this recipe out of the book, Veganomicon, and made it for the first time a few weeks ago. This is seriously the best tomato soup I've ever had in my life (other people agree, too) and it will make your house smell so mouthwateringly delicious!

Tomato-Rice Soup with Roasted Garlic and Beans

Makes about 8-12 servings

Ingredients:

2 bulbs garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion (diced very small)

1 cup long-grain brown rice (I used jasmine)

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

2 teaspoons salt

fresh ground pepper

2 (28 oz) cans crushed (or diced) tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can navy beans/cannelloni beans/pinto beans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the tops off both of the garlic heads. Place the garlic on two small sheets of tin foil and drizzle olive oil over the top of each bulb. Wrap the bulbs in the tin foil, place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 45 minutes.

Saute the oil and onions in a large soup pot over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until translucent.

Add the rice, bay leaves, thyme, marjoram, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.

Add the crushed tomatoes. Fill each can up with water and pour into the soup mixture (56 oz of water total).

Bring to a boil and then lower heat to medium-low for about 45 minutes.

When the garlic from the oven and let cool until it is cool enough to handle. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skin and then mash up the roasted garlic with a fork. Add the garlic to the soup when the rice is nearly tender.

When the rice is finished cooking, add the beans to the soup and heat through. Before serving, remove the bay leaves.