Cabbage Soup

Yes.. It is the same famed GM Diet Soup.. with little harmless tweaks, the soup is very appetizing and palatable. This is no more a diet soup, it is the "I Can't believe it is a diet soup" soup. Get it?!
You can down this soup on any regular day too.. especially if you hate Cabbage and Celery but love the health benefits they offer.. this soup is the way to gulp them down.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Head of Cabbage, finely chopped
• 4 Shallots or 3 Red Onions, finely chopped
• 4 Sticks of Celery, finely chopped
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, finely chopped
• 1 Cup of Diced Carrots, preferably baby carrots
• 1 Handful of Cilantro Leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tsp of Garlic (minced or paste)
• [1 Tbsp of Sun Dried Tomatoes soaked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• OR 2 Large Tomatoes finely chopped]
• [4 Cups of Vegetable Broth (Low Sodium, Low Cal)
• OR 4 cups of Chicken Broth (Low Sodium, Low Cal)]
• 2 tsp of Red Chilly Flakes
• 1 tsp of Pepper Powder
• 1/2 tsp of Salt (per taste)
• 1 Tbsp of No Salt Seasoning Herbs (or any herb seasoning of choice)
• 1 tsp of Extra Light Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder (Optional)
• Optional: Any soup mix powder (you can use maggi masala that comes with noodles etc.. but they make the soup unhealthy..)

 Procedure:

• Heat a large Sauce pan and add 1 tsp of extra light Olive oil
• Add the Garlic paste and saute for few seconds on low flame
• Turn up the heat and add the Onions and saute for a minute
• Add the turmeric powder and give it a stir
• Toss in the Bell Peppers and Carrots and saute for a minute
• Add the Cabbage, Celery and Saute for 2 more minutes
• Add the Tomatoes and saute for a minute. If Fresh Tomatoes, saute an extra minute
• Pour the Vegetable/Chicken broth
• If the consistency is too thick for your taste, add 2 cups of water
• Add the salt and any optional soup mix
• Cover the pan and turn the heat to low flame
• Simmer the soup for 20 to 30 minutes 
• The Soup will give out a nice aroma (inspite of the addition of cabbages. ;-) ) when done
• Now is the time to add all your seasonings.. add the herb seasonings, pepper powder, red chilly flakes etc
• Give the soup a good stir and Serve it piping hot!

If you are making this soup for someone who is not dieting, you can add leftover pastas, cut into thin pieces and serve it (as shown below). The pasta pieces really add a whole new flavor to the soup reminding me of the Subway minestrone soup.