Cabbage Soup Comfort

What?? Another 'cooking' post from the one who absolutely HATES to have to cook???

Yep!! 'Cause it's easy, it's healthy-ish, it's bod-warming on a chilly day, it's simple clean-up and it can easily get me through an entire week of quick warmup lunches without having to actually cook again for awhile. My severe dislike of cooking has forced me to plan for not having to do it often; a big pot of stew, a huge casserole, a big ol' pot roast, a massive batch of perogies, this pot of cabbage soup are just a few of the  one-time cooking work plans that can stretch out nicely... perfect for a Lazy-Ass Cooking/Dish-Washing HATER like ME!

I know there are lots of cabbage soup diets that go through rages of greatness... I don't diet so this is not meant to be among those even though it is a pretty healthy and filling soup. I just like it because it's filled with ingredients I like and is easily adaptable for whatever you may or may not like in your soup. If you don't like onions... leave them out, maybe try a couple handfuls of frozen corn kernels instead. Celery not your thing? Try adding in some frozen peas. Not keen on the beans?? Try some crumbled ground beef, or even some shredded chicken. The posibilities are endless, just go with whatever! Since I'm sharing my recipe, I'll show you how I like it but feel free to experiment and make it perfect in its quest to satisfy you!


Cabbage Soup Comfort

Ingredients:

                     Olive Oil
3     stalks     Celery (chopped)
3     med       Carrots (chopped)
1     med/lg   Yellow Onion (chopped)
2     cups       Cabbage (chopped)
1     Tbsp      Garlic (minced)
1-2  tsp         Salt
1/2   tsp        Pepper (fresh ground)
1      tsp        Bayleaf Flakes
1      tsp        Basil Flakes
2      tsp        Oregano Flakes
1      tsp        Sugar
1     pinch     Red Pepper Flakes
1     cube      Beef Boullion (if needed... see ** at liquid stage below)
1     qt          Tomatoes (crushed, diced, whole... whatever you prefer)
1     carton   Beef Broth (900ml)
1     can       White Kidney Beans (540ml)

Directions:

Step 1:

Pour in enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of a large pot then toss in celery and carrots. Cook over med-high heat for about 3 minutes.



Stir-frying the fresh vegetables before adding in the liquids
helps them keep just a touch of firmness rather than having them
turn mushy in the finished soup.

Step 2:

Toss the onion into the mix and stir-fry another 1-2 minutes.



 

















Step 3:

Add in the cabbage and garlic, stir-frying another 1 minute.


 


















Step 4:

Add in salt, pepper, bayleaf, basil and oregano and continue stir-frying another 30 seconds or so.




Step 5:

Add the tomatoes, broth and sugar into the mix, stirring gently. Here's where you'll want to give it a quick taste test as it warms to simmer temperature... the herbs will be enhanced during simmer time but you may want to add in a little extra salt and/or sugar if the tomatoes need either.

** Once I have added the tomatoes and broth I fill the broth box just less than halfway with water to rince the last bits of broth out before pouring it into the tomato jar and swishing it to get the bits of juice left inside before pouring it into the pot, as well. This is why (and the point where) I add in a boullion cube to the mix.

Just as an extra by-the-way... you could totally use chicken broth and boullion instead of beef; I like it with whatever I have on hand.

 Step 6:

Sprinkle in that pinch of red pepper flakes (or more, if you like a little more heat) then just sit back and let'er'simmer'down for 30 minutes!!

I like to simmer at just a touch above medium heat... however, since all stove burners
heat differently just keep it hot enough to move all bubbly-like but not hot enough
that it's a hot-mess on an all-night dance binge bustin' to get out of its pot!

Step 7:

After that relaxing 30 minute simmerfest, go ahead and pour into the pot that lonlified-still-waiting can of kidney beans and give that soup a good lil' stir before letting it simmer another 25 minutes.



"I'm just so looooonelyyyy... why can't I be in the pot, toooooo???"



"Come on in, K-Beans... you're missin' All the FUN!!!"

"Thanks, Gang!!! I thought you'd never ask!!!!!"

Step 8:

After that 25 minute K-Bean simmer... let sit (off the heat) for 5 minutes before ladling some of that comfort into a bowl. Enjoy! The soup is delicious just as it is... or, try it topped with a little Parmesan like I love it. I hope this soup warms both your tummy and your soul as it always does mine!