Okra Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 3 strips bacon, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 tsp. dried thyme
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 lb. okra, trimmed and cut into 1″ slices
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28-oz.) can whole, peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand