Garden Vegetable Soup

This is one of my all-time favorite soups.  Not because it's delicious, because it totally IS, but because it's all vegetables!  I can snack on this soup and feel completely guilt-free while filling my tummy!  I {HEART} it!  For those of you that are Weight Watchers groupies, this soup will definitely look familiar.  Though, I've switched up the ingredients a bit and added my own personal flair, I think you'll like it even better than the original.  I know I do!

I mean, really, doesn't that soup scream DELICIOUS!!!!????

All my measurements are a ballpark of what I use.  Usually I just eyeball it and use the whole item, i.e. whole onion, whole zucchini, whole cabbage, etc.  I don't like leaving 1/2 of anything in my fridge to spoil that much faster.  No matter how you cook this soup, it's going to taste fantastic!!!  Just remember to use as many low-sodium and salt-free canned foods as possible!  You really don't need all that added sodium!

{garden vegetable soup}
Modified from Weight Watchers

1 1/2 c. sliced carrot
1 c. diced onion
4-5garlic cloves, minced
5 c. low-sodium broth (my favorite in this one is beef, but if you must you can also use chicken or vegetable)
6 c. (or one whole head) diced green cabbage (I {HEART} Cabbage so the more the merrier)
1 14oz. can salt-free green beans
2 14oz. cans salt-free diced tomatoes, WITH juice
2 Tbsp. salt-free Tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp. salt-free Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 c. diced zucchini
2 tsp. Olive Oil
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, if desired

Coat an extra large dutch oven with olive oil (of course you can use cooking spray, too but the olive oil lends such a delicious flavor and is good for you), heat.  Saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 min.

Add broth, cabbage, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and salt; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, covered, about 15 min or until beans are tender.  Stir in the zucchini and heat for 3-4 min.  Serve HOT. (with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.)

Serves 12.

Coming Next:

Sloppy Janes

Cabbage-Burger Bake

I have to say that this recipe is one of our family favorites. It doesn't picture well, but oh man! It tastes fantastic! So, if the pictures aren't doing it for you, look at the list of ingredients. If they look good to you, then try it. You won't be sorry!


{cabbage-burger bake}

1 sm. head cabbage (about 2 lbs. - I LOVE cabbage so I tend to add a lot more)
6-10 slices of bacon cut into 2 " pieces (depends on your love of bacon...we add 10)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 c. uncooked rice (NOT instant. If you use brown it will need to be pre cooked 1/2 way or you'll have this baking forever just too cook the rice)
1 1/2 lbs meat-loaf mixture (ground beef & ground pork)
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 can spaghetti sauce with mushrooms (we like Hunts)
3 c. water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.Shred cabbage (there should be about 8 c.); spread half in a 9x13 greased baking dish. Place baking dish ontop of a cookie sheet to catch possible spillage. In a large sauce pan, saute bacon just until fat starts to cook out; remove and drain on paper toweling, set aside. Stir onion and rice into drippings in pan; cook, stirring constantly, until onion is soft and rice is lightly browned. Spoon over cabbage in baking dish. Shape meatloaf mixture into large patty in same pan. Brown 5 min on each side, then break up into chunks. Spoon over rice mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with remaining cabbage. Heat spaghetti sauce with water to boiling in same pan. Pour over cabbage, stirring lightly with fork so sauce will flow to bottom. Top with bacon slices; cover. Bake for 50 min or until rice and cabbage are tender. Uncover. Bake 10 min longer to crisp bacon.

Serves 10 generously.