Cabbage Roll Soup

   I love cabbage rolls, but am generally too lazy to make them. So, what I love to make instead is a cabbage roll soup. All the same stuff goes in, just no pre-steaming of the cabbage, and no effort of assembling many rolls!  

Cabbage Roll Soup

Makes about 12 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 1 onion, cut up (I like bigger pieces, but cut it as you like)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. (450 g) ground beef, pork, veal or venison (or a combination of all of them. I used a beef/pork mix)
  
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice (14 oz., 398 ml)
  
• 1 can tomato sauce (23 oz., 680 ml)
• 1/2 cup long grain rice 
  
• 4 cups stock (beef, or veggie)
• 1/2 head of green cabbage, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
  

Method:

1. In a large pot heat oil on medium high heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant, and onion is translucent.
2. Add ground meat and thyme, and cook (breaking up bigger pieces) until browned. 
3. Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined and bring soup to a gentle simmer. 
   
4. Add the cabbage and rice. Cover soup and let simmer on medium heat until rice is fully cooked, about 15 minutes.
5.  Season with salt and pepper and serve.

   I hope you make this soup and enjoy your lazy cabbage rolls! :)