- 6 large onions
- 2 green peppers
- 4 whole tomatoes
- 1 large head of cabbage
- 1 large bunch of celery
Cabbage soup becomes infinitely more interesting with the addition of several other healthy ingredients, and my purpose today is to immortalize my list of tasty supplements which turn it into something I can and do eat every day, sometimes for weeks at a time. It always tastes good to me. Starting from the beginning, then:
I use two 8-quart pots because I don't have a larger soup kettle. In the end, both pots are full to within an inch or so from the top, which is enough soup to last me for at least 8 days. All veggies are cut so as to be easily spooned up. As I cut up the ingredients, I just put half in each pot.
- 1 very large onion
- 1 small head of cabbage
- 1 green pepper (if it's not too spendy)
- 4-6 carrots
- 1 bunch of celery (I don't break this apart before cutting, I just lop off the dry top end, rinse well, and slice the whole bunch at once, leaves included, starting from the top. About halfway down, I stop and go back to the sink for another rinse, watching for the dirt that sometimes settles inside the outer stalks, wiping it out with my fingers if necessary.)
- a few red potatoes
- 1 turnip
- 1 rutabaga
- a 1 lb. 12 oz. can of peeled tomatoes (I prefer diced)
- 8 chicken thighs (I leave them whole but trim out as much of the fat as possible)
- 1 t. basil
- 1 t. oregano
- 1 t. tarragon
- some dill weed
- some garlic powder
- some onion powder
- some red pepper flakes
- some mustard seeds
- some pepper
Now add water to cover and then some, to within an inch and a half of the top. Cover the pots, bring them to a boil, then turn them down and simmer for 25 minutes. Then add to each pot:
- 2-3 handfuls of egg noodles
You'll notice I haven't mentioned salt yet. You can go ahead and add some with the noodles if you want to. Be aware that the noodles and potatoes tend to suck up the salt, though. I usually wait and add salt at the table. That way it heightens the flavor of the whole soup, not just the starches.
This soup will be better after it sits for awhile and the flavors have a chance to meld. I serve it in a wide bowl with one of the chicken thighs on top, along with a fork to pick it apart.