Tomato and Garlic Bread Soup

I'm always on the lookout for tomato soups that aren't creamy or pureed (like the canned kind). This is a nice savory brothy tomato soup with yummy garlicky croutons. From Gramercy Tavern in NYC.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• GARLIC BREAD CROUTONS

• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 9  garlic cloves, minced (fresh is best)
• 8  ounces  crusty white  sourdough bread, in 1-inch cubes

• TOMATO SOUP

• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3  large onions, finely chopped
• 8  cups  chicken stock (canned chicken broth is okay)
• 2 (28 ounce) cans  peeled plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely crushed
• 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
•  salt, to taste
•  fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1⁄4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (garnish)
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, shaved (garnish)

Directions

1. GARLIC BREAD CROUTONS:.
2. Preheat oven to 300ºF. In a large bowl, mix 1/2 cup olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves. Add bread pieces and toss to coat. On a large baking sheet, arrange coated bread in a single layer. Bake in preheated oven until golden (approximately 20 minutes), stirring once. Set baked croutons aside.
3. TOMATO SOUP (can be started while croutons are baking):
4. In a large heavy-duty pot, heat 2 tbs. olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for approximately 25 minutes, or until very tender. Add remaining six minced garlic cloves and cook for one minute. Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.
5. Add garlic bread croutons to soup and cook for one minute more. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish each serving with basil slices and Parmesan shavings.