Okra Soup

Name: 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 and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 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