Description
Rustic cabbage soup from Eastern Europe blends robust vegetables with savory broth. Nourishing ingredients create a comforting meal that connects generations through simple, wholesome cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth (or water with bouillon cubes)
- 1 green cabbage (chopped, about 6 cups)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 3 carrots (sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (chopped)
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) white beans or kidney beans (drained & rinsed, optional for protein)
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 zucchini (diced, optional)
- 1 bell pepper (diced, any color)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for richness, optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for umami, or soy sauce for vegan option)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (adds depth of flavor)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (brightens the flavors!)
- Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, allowing vegetables to soften and develop a golden translucence for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Build Flavor Profile: Introduce minced garlic, bell peppers, and zucchini into the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle smoked paprika and Italian seasoning, stirring to coat vegetables and release their aromatic essence, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Liquid Integration: Pour in vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and water. Stir to combine all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and vegetables throughout the liquid base.
- Cabbage Incorporation: Slice cabbage into thin strips and gently fold into the simmering soup. Allow cabbage to become tender and translucent, absorbing the surrounding flavors and contributing its distinctive texture.
- Simmer and Develop: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes. Periodically stir and taste, adjusting seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. The soup should develop a rich, cohesive flavor profile with vegetables becoming perfectly tender.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added complexity and freshness.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Texture: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast spices like smoked paprika briefly before adding vegetables to intensify their aromatic compounds and release deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust soup thickness by gradually adding vegetable broth or water, allowing you to create a hearty or lighter consistency based on personal preference.
- Boost Nutritional Value: Consider adding protein-rich ingredients like white beans, lentils, or quinoa to transform this soup into a more substantial, balanced meal for vegetarians and vegans.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg