VAL'S STUFFED CABBAGE HOUOVA POLEVKA; Ocean Park-WA

Val's Stuffed Cabbage Houbova Polevka;  Ocean Beach-WA

My husband and I both like cabbage - and I happened to have some on hand, so  …

My mother could make the most wonderful stuffed cabbage hot pot, called Halupki - if I close my eyes and think on those days, I can actually smell that wonderful aroma as it simmered on the back burner all day long.

This has been a difficult week for us, with sibling deaths on both sides of our union 😔: my baby brother 5 days ago … Holland's older brother, yesterday afternoon. And it has been raining here in Ocean Park-WA, since Wednesday evening: soul soothing is definitely needed, and today's supper fare fits the bill.

Betsy & Independence~2; Ocean Park-WA

The Archies - 'Sugar And Spice' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLhB4560-Y4&list=RDzLhB4560-Y4&start_radio=1)

My mother's Halupki hot pot was a simple undertaking (sometimes cinnamon was added if around holiday time), but I prefer more ingredients, more spice, & more color - all, of which, have their own special health benefits. My food is my "medicine"; so, I've jazzed my recipe up. The onion, carrot, & celery help eye health, & skeletal strength; and the spices used help improve immune function, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and even boost brain function. Additionally, paprika & vinegar aid digestion, & help regulate blood sugar.

Thankfully, my husband, who also benefits from my healthy offerings … is appreciative of my kitchen concoctions 😘

9 Impressive Health Benefits of Cabbage: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cabbage

Shiitake Mushrooms - Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Uses: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-shiitake-mushrooms

9 Healthy Ways To Use White Rice~Dietitian: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-use-white-rice

This easy peasy healthy cabbage-mushroom-soup, has all the wonderful flavor of stuffed cabbage - without all the fuss (I never could keep my cabbage leaves from tearing - I've tried all the "tricks"); and as a bonus plus, delivers taste without the waist adage 😁

You pronounce {Houbova Polevka} as such: "Hoe-boo-vah Pa (soft a)-lev-kah".

Val's Stuffed Cabbage Houbova Polevka ~serves 4

1/2 lb. Hamburger, prebrowned (second 1/2 frozen for later use) * 1/4 head of med-size Cabbage, sliced * 2-1/2 c. Water * 1 c. Sweet Yellow Onion, chopped * 2 med. Carrot, shredded * 2 stalks Celery, chopped * 1 garlic, pressed * 1 TBSP Sugar * 1/2 TBSP Paprika * 1/8 tsp. Cinnamon powder * 1/4 tsp. Salt Substitute * 1/4 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt * 1/4 tsp. grnd. Black Pepper * 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper * 1/2 tsp. Dill Leaf, dried * 1/2 Bay Leaf * 5-ounce can V-8 Juice * 2 tsp. Beef Bouillon * 1/2 TBSP Cider Vinegar * 1/4 c. Shiitake mushrooms, chopped * 1/4 Rice, cooked * 1/2 TBSP Parsley flakes, dried * Lrg Cooking Pan * Measuring spoons & Measuring cups * 1 Cooking Spoon * 1 Ladle

Gather Ingredients:

Ingredients.

1) In a large soup pot, place the browned hamburger, onion-carrot-celery, garlic, mushrooms, rice, & V-8 juice …

2) Add the spice blend; pour the water & vinegar over all:

Spices added - bay leaf inside tea ball; then liquids.

3) Chop cabbage and place in the pot …

Cabbage added to pot … stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients.

4) Turn heat to medium-high, place pot over flame; bring to a boil:

When soup begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer.

5) When pot begins to boil, turn the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours …

Simmer flame.

Turn heat off & ladle up: YUMMY 😁

Husband liked this soup, a lot - it will be a requested repeat 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨