Creamy Garlic Soup - Litchfield Farmers' Market

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 pounds onions (about 4 onions), chopped
• 2 cups garlic cloves (about 4 large heads), chopped
• 2 quarts chicken stock or broth
• 1/2 loaf day-old French bread (about 1/4 pound), cut into chunks
• 1 bouquet garni: 6 parsley stems, 9 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried, and 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper