This soup leaves itself open to a lot of substitutions using whatever vegetables you have in the refrigerator. The point however is to have the widest variety of vegetables possible, as this is the most healing!
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium onions chopped
3 stalks celery chopped
3 carrots chopped
1 medium green pepper chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
3 cups cabbage chopped
2 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups green beans cut to 1 inch (frozen is fine)
8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 15 ounce can kidney or pinto beans
1 bay leaf
4 cups chopped spinach (or 10 ounce package frozen spinach)
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil (optional but delicious)
Heat oil in a large soup pot and add onions, celery, carrots, bell pepper and garlic. Cook stirring frequently until softened, 5-6 minutes, Add cabbage and stir 3 minutes more. Add broth, water, broccoli, tomato sauce, tomatoes, beans, and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer partially covered until all vegetables are soft, 20-25 minutes. Stir in spinach and simmer 10 minutes more. Stir in basil, remove bay leaf and serve! (Always better the next day if there are leftovers!)
10- 2 cup servings