Hardy Cabbage Soup

Apparently cabbage soup is popular for weight-loss regimes. I had no idea. I didn't make this soup for that express purpose. I only tossed in the vegetables hiding in the corners of my refrigerator, but I realized it was also good as a one pot meal that is nutritious, filling, and advantageous to lose weight.

This is not just cabbage soup - it has a miscellaneous array of vegetables, each one adding its flavor to the soup.

Ingredients (serves 4-6 as a meal):

1. 1 onion, finely chopped
2. 3 stalks of celery, chopped
3. 5 carrots, peeled and chopped
4. 1 sweet bell pepper, chopped
5. 4 cloves of garlic, minced
6. 2 tomatoes, chopped
7. 1/2 of a medium cabbage (about 5 cups), chopped
8. 5 cups vegetable broth
9. 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
10. 1.5 teaspoons oregano / omam seeds / ajwain
11. 1/4 teaspoon thyme
12. a few basil leaves
13. salt, as needed
14. freshly cracked black pepper, as needed
15. Olive oil - 3-4 tablespoons
16. A few scallions for garnish

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a soup pot/crock pot. When hot, add onions and saute until translucent. 
2. Next add celery, carrots and bell pepper and saute on medium heat for 10 minutes
3. Add garlic, saute two minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes, the cabbage, salt, and vegetable broth. Mix well. Close the pot and simmer on low-medium heat for 30 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
5. Add turmeric, oregano, thyme and basil. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Blend the soup to desired consistency. Check for seasoning, add more if needed, and adjust the consistency by adding more stock if needed

Serve with a slice of bread and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and some scallions. Really flavorful and hardy soup.