Spring is Coming: Cabbage Soup Detox Time

Ingredients

• 1 Cabbage - small-medium head, shredded or chopped
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 hot pepper (jalapeno or other medium-hot type), chopped fine (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons olive or other organic oil
• 1 large and 1 small can of organic whole peeled tomatoes, chopped (can substitute  pre-diced or fire-roasted)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 2 teaspoons thyme or Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp. basil (fresh if available)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 cups raisins (optional)
• 6 cups liquid (can use vegetable broth or half water and half tomato juice)
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

How to Make It:

1. Cook  chopped onion, garlic and pepper with 1-2 tbsp. oil in large pot until soft and translucent.  
2. Add shredded/chopped cabbage, cook for 3 minutes and cover, cooking another 5 minutes.  Vegetables should be soft but not browned.  
3. Add the cumin seeds to the cooked onion and cabbage, allowing to release their flavor.
4. Add the canned tomatoes along with their juice.  
5. Add remaining seasonings except salt, including chili flakes to taste along with 1 cup of the liquid. 
6. Cook uncovered for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to blend, stirring to prevent burning.  Add raisins if using.
7. Add  remaining liquid plus lemon juice and bring to a boil.  
8. Add salt and reduce heat to low-medium.  Simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes.
9. Adjust seasonings, adding more liquid if necessary.  Some people add 1 tbsp. of sugar to balance flavors but we usually omit - your choice.
10. Serve hot.  Flavor will taste better the next day as the soup has a chance to sit.