Italian Cabbage & White Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1 Medium Head of Cabbage - Chopped into 1" pieces
1 Grilled Chicken Breast - Small Dice
1 Onion - Chopped
1 Carrot - Chopped into 1/2" pieces
2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
2 Cans White Beans - Drained & Rinsed
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (or 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes)
4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
4 Cups Chicken Stock
2 Cups Water (optional)

In a medium / large pot over med / high heat, add the evoo.  Add the onion, carrot & garlic and sautee for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add in the salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes to open up the spices and bloom them.

Next add in the chicken and cabbage and stir to combine.  Add in the chicken stock.  The chicken broth should cover the cabbage, etc. by about an inch. If you need more liquid, add in some of the water or more chicken stock.  Cover and reduce to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes.  Add in the white beans and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.

At this point, adjust the seasonings to taste and simmer for another 5 minutes if necessary.

Enjoy with a nice piece of rustic crusty bread.  #cheftainment