Cleansing Cabbage Lentil Soup

Everyone has heard of the cabbage soup diet...eating soup all day to loose weight.   I do NOT endorse this method of weight loss - I believe its unhealthy and unsustainable.  However, I do believe that there are many healing and cleansing qualities of a vegetable based soup.  So based on some ideas from the 7-ingedient cleanse (a 3 day cleanse I've done in the past http://deliciouslydomesticdining.blogspot.com/2014/01/7-ingredient-cleanse.html ), I've created a cabbage and lentil soup designed to fill you up with healthful ingredients while tasting great.  I was honestly surprised at how yummy this soup was...yummy enough for me to look forward to the next time I could eat more!

Happy Cooking!
Sarah

Cleansing Cabbage and Lentil Soup
1 T of olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
4 tsp bullion base (pictured below)
8 cups of water (you may substitute 8 cups of stock instead of bullion base and water)
1 small head of cabbage, thinly sliced and cut into 1 inch pieces (easier to eat once cooking down)
14 oz can of diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup of split red lentils
salt and pepper to taste

Begin by sauteing the onion in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until translucent.   Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.

Add one cup of water (of the 8 cups) and dissolve the bullion base.  The water should heat up quickly which will help the bullion to dissolve faster.  Once completely dissolved, continue to add the rest of the water (7 more cups).  As mentioned in the ingredient list, you may use 8 cups of stock or broth instead of the bullion base and water.  I prefer this bullion base not only because it's cheaper, but because its all natural ingredients with no preservatives.

Once the liquid comes to a slow boil, as pictured below, add the cabbage, lentils, and tomatoes.

Continue to cook over medium heat for 30-40 minutes or until lentils are tender and cabbage has wilted.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately and enjoy!!!  So yummy!  A perfect one pot meal!