Amazing Vegetable Soup (South Beach Diet)

Ingredients

• 2 quarts chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 small head green cabbage, shredded (I use angel hair shredded cabbage) or

  1 (10 ounce) bag shredded cabbage for coleslaw (I use angel hair shredded cabbage)

• 1 head celery, washed and sliced
• 1 leek, rinsed, trimmed, and sliced thinly
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch rounds (I leave out)
• 1 medium summer squash, cut into 1/4 inch rounds (I leave out)

• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can navy beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
• shredded parmesan cheese, optional garnish (optional)
• basil pesto, optional garnish (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Combine broth, cabbage, celery, leek, garlic, and green beans in an 8-quart soup pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until green beans are just tender.

2. 2

   Add tomatoes, zucchini, and squash (and navy beans, if using) and cook an additional 45 minutes.

3. 3

   Serve hot, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese or with a spoonful of pesto stirred in, as desired.