Vegetarian Tomato Cabbage Soup

Cabbage is a highly nutritious vegetable, and incorporating it into tomato cabbage soup creates a dish that's flavorful and easy to prepare—perfect for busy schedules.  However, it's important to note that overcooking cabbage at high temperatures can diminish its valuable nutrients, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B, C, and K.  Therefore, to preserve these nutrients, it's advisable to cook cabbage briefly and at moderate temperatures.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 head of cabbage
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 cup pineapple, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup okra, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 shallots
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4-5 cups water

Accompaniments:

• Green onions
• Vietnamese coriander

Seasonings:

• Mushroom seasoning powder
• Salt
• Sugar
• Turmeric powder or lime juice

Directions:

1.    Preparing the Ingredients:

·         Cut the cabbage into your preferred size, either large or small pieces.  Soak the cabbage in diluted salt water for 2-3 minutes, then rinse and drain.  This should yield about 2 cups.

·         Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges.

·         Peel and thinly slice or mince the shallots.

·         Crush the garlic.

·         Wash and finely chop the green onions and Vietnamese coriander for garnish.

2.    Cooking the Soup:

·         In a pot, heat over one tablespoon of cooking oil.  Sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant.

·         Add the tomato wedges and stir-fry until they soften. Add 1/2 teaspoon of mushroom seasoning powder to enhance the flavor and stir well.

·         Pour in 4-5 cups of water, enough to serve 2-3 people. Bring the mixture to a boil.

·         Once boiling, season the broth with mushroom seasoning powder, salt, sugar, and tamarind powder to taste, ensuring a fragrant and well-balanced flavor.

·         Add the cabbage and okra to the pot.  Skim off any foam that forms to keep the broth clear.

3.    Finalizing and Serving:

·         Add the chopped green onions and Vietnamese coriander once the vegetables are cooked to your desired tenderness.  Stir well and turn off the heat.

·         Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.  This soup pairs well with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Following these steps, you can enjoy a nutritious and delicious vegetarian tomato cabbage soup that's easy to prepare and perfect for a wholesome meal.