Tuscan Vegetable Soup

Recipe from the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic. I haven't made this so I'm guessing at the prep time. I want this in my cookbook so I'm posting it to share.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups  finely chopped onions (about 1 large)
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried thyme (2 tablespoons of chopped fresh thyme can be used)
• 3  teaspoons  minced garlic
• 4  cups  coarsely chopped green cabbage
• 14 1⁄2 ounces  italian-style canned stewed tomatoes
• 2  cups  sliced celery
• 2  cups  diced carrots (1/2-inch pieces) or 2  cups  baby carrots
• 8  cups low sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth can be substituted)
• 3  cups  diced potatoes (1/2-inch pieces)
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped fresh basil
• 3  cups  half-slices zucchini (cut zucchini in half, then cut into slices)
• 15  ounces canned red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (white kidney beans can be substituted)

• Garnish

•  shredded parmesan cheese (about a tablespoon per serving)

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in large, nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, thyme, and garlic and saute about 3-5 minutes.
2. Stir in the cabbage pieces, the canned, stewed tomato (including liquid), celery, and carrots and saute 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in the chicken broth, potatoes, fresh basil, zucchini, and kidney beans and bring back to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to simmer, cover saucepan, and let simmer about an hour.
5. Spoon into soup bowls and top each serving with a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
6. Makes 6 large or 12 small bowls.