tomato and garlic bread soup

(cadged from epicurious some years back, and tweaked) http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/TOMATO-AND-GARLIC-BREAD-SOUP-102453

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin) (my note - no way I use this much oil start with 1/4 c.)
9 garlic cloves, minced (well, yah. best method is to throw garlic & oil in the processor 'til combined and creamy. ad stuff here, if you want, like herbs, hot pepper flakes. live!)
8 ounces crusty white sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch pieces (just buy a round loaf of any good rough peasant bread, cube it (best if a touch stale), then mix it up with your oily garlic mess in a very large container. throw in some good sea salt, too.

3 large onions, finely chopped (or more)
8 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth (even when I was omni I used veg broth)
2 28-ounce cans peeled plum tomatoes, drained, crushed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (if you're going to use cheese, this is where you want your reggiano. it counts bigtime in this dish. it's all about fresh, savory flavors - mouth heaven, baby)

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil (for garnish)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shavings (like I said. also, use a veggie peeler, pass the chunk of cheese round the table)

Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix 1/2 cup olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves in large bowl. Add sourdough bread pieces and toss to coat. Arrange bread in single layer on large baking sheet. Bake until golden, stirring once, about 20 minutes. Set garlic-bread croutons aside.

Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until very tender, about 25 minutes. Add remaining minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Simmer soup uncovered 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add garlic-bread croutons to soup and cook 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with thinly sliced basil and Parmesan cheese shavings. (er, not. don't add the croutons before serving. let people build their soups, building little piles of garlic croutons, basil, and cheese fragments. you'll thank me, really)

this stuff freezes so well. and it's great to take to lunch, just pack your go-withs separately. I can guarantee your coworkers will be asking for the recipe. could it be simpler?