Instructions: 1. Cut two of the garlic heads in half across and remove the papery outer skin. Put these cut side down on a very hot surface - a griddle or black iron skillet - until theyre black. Peel all the garlic completely.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and saute the onions, celery, and the garlic until lightly browned at the edges. Add the wine and bring to a boil.

3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir the pot thoroughly, but dont let it brown. Add the chicken stock, 1/2 gallon water, and the potato. Whisk about the pot well and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook for about an hour and 15 minutes.

4. Strain out the solids from the soup, and puree them in a blender or food processor, along with enough broth to ease things along. Return the puree to the soup and restore the boil. Add the whipping cream, basil, thyme, salt, pepper and Tabasco.

5. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet very hot. In it toast the slivers of garlic until brown around the outside. 6 Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with roasted garlic slivers. Float a toasted, garlic-buttered slice of French bread on top.

Serves eight to twelve. Suggested wine: Marinasco Chef Andrea Apuzzo writes of this recipe in his book "La Cucina di Andreas", "Garlic wears many hats. Most people think of it in its aggressive, green, aromatic, sharp form. But when garlic is cooked slowly for a long time, it takes on a sweet nuttiness that is every bit as interesting as its more raw flavors. The sweet side of garlic is exemplified by this soup." Andreas Restaurant 3100 Nineteenth Street

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