In keeping with trendy 2026 ingredients, I made and enjoyed Parmesan Cabbage Soup.
Parmesan Cabbage Soup
Most years, as we approach St. Patrick’s Day, grocery stores offer cabbage at great prices. This nourishing soup, thickened with rice and made substantial with bites of cabbage is filling and affordable. Rinds of Parmesan cheese flavor the broth as they melt. Passing the remaining wedge of Parmesan along with a microplane grater makes for great fun at the table and adds complexity to the flavor.
Makes 3 -4 servings.
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium leek, white and light green parts, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced, rinsed well*
2 cloves minced garlic
½ teaspoon dried thyme or dill (optional)
Tiny pinch of red pepper flakes
4 cups coarsely chopped cabbage (about ½ small head)
¾ teaspoons kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups chicken broth (4 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon + 4 cups water)
½ cup raw long grain rice (or 11/2 cups cooked rice)
2 Parmesan rinds + wedge to pass for grating on top of soup
In a 5 -quart soup pot, melt butter over medium high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic, optional thyme or dill and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cabbage, salt and pepper and cook until cabbage wilts slightly and begins to “toast”, about 7 minutes.
Stir in stock, rice, salt and pepper. Add Parmesan rinds and bring all to a simmer. Cook partly covered, over medium low heat until cabbage and rice are very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove rinds. Taste soup and adjust with salt/pepper.
*I usually buy a bunch of 3 leeks in the produce section of the grocery store. I peel the outer leaves, cut away the dark green sections of each leaf with scissors. Then I slice each leek in half lengthwise, cutting each half thinly into half-moon shapes. Place in a colander and wash thoroughly; drain about 10 minutes. Measure 2 cups of slices and place in plastic freezer bags. Most recipes call for 1 leek which is 2 cups. No need to thaw.
