Garlic And Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 bulbs garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
2 None carrots, chopped, to serve
2 stalks celery, trimmed, sliced
1 None leek, trimmed, washed, sliced
4 cups chicken stock
2 None potatoes, peeled, diced
2/3 lb lima beans, drained
None None Croutons
1/2 None baguette, cut into 1/3 inch slices
None None olive oil
3 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
1 tsp paprika
1/3 cup fresh chives, snipped

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Drizzle garlic bulbs with oil and bake for 15-20 mins, until tender.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute carrots, celery and leek, stirring, for 10-15 mins, until tender and beginning to caramelize. Add stock and 2 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 25-30 mins.
Squeeze roasted garlic from skins into soup. Add potatoes and cook over medium heat for 5-10 mins, until potatoes are tender. Add lima beans and puree soup until smooth. Season.
For croutons, preheat broiler. Drizzle bread with olive oil. Broil for 2-3 mins, until lightly golden. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika and broil for 2-3 mins, until cheese melts.
Sprinkle soup with chives and serve topped with croutons.