Description
Rustic cabbage soup brings comfort and nutrition straight from Eastern European kitchens, blending seasonal vegetables with rich, warming broth. Home cooks can savor this nourishing one-pot wonder that delivers satisfying flavors with minimal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Produce:
- 1 green cabbage (chopped, about 6 cups)
- 3 carrots (sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 zucchini (diced, optional)
- 1 bell pepper (diced, any color)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Proteins and Canned Goods:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) white beans or kidney beans (drained & rinsed, optional for protein)
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes (with juices)
Liquids, Seasonings, and Additional Flavors:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth (or water with bouillon cubes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for richness, optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for umami, or soy sauce for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds depth of flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (brightens the flavors!)
- Grated Parmesan (
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil into a generously sized cooking vessel, creating a shimmering base over moderate warmth.
- Introduce chopped onions, sliced carrots, and diced celery, allowing them to gently soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, vibrant bell peppers, and tender zucchini cubes into the vegetable medley.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika and Italian seasoning across the sautéing vegetables, stirring briefly to awaken their intense flavors and release their fragrant oils.
- Let the spices dance and meld together, creating a rich and complex base for the upcoming soup transformation.
Notes
- Swap out olive oil for coconut or avocado oil if you prefer a different flavor profile or have specific dietary needs.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Enhance protein content by adding white beans, lentils, or quinoa for a more filling vegetarian meal.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting smoked paprika or adding red pepper flakes for extra heat and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg