When you add greens to hot soup, they instantly wilt and practically disappear. So though I started with 4 cups of lettuce, each time I served this soup I wound up adding more lettuce or spinach to each bowl. Feel free to add as much as you like. Call the kids over so that they can watch as the soup absorbs ridiculous amounts of greenery.
1jalapeno chilestemmed, chopped , seeded and finely diced (add more or less to taste)
1yellow or red bell pepperchopped
2medium carrotsdiced
3clovesgarlicminced
1small red cabbageor 1/2 large cabbage, chopped
6ouncesmushroomsquartered
2canscooked black beansor 3 cups, rinsed and drained
1tablespoonMexican oreganoor regular oregano
1teaspooncumin
1/4-1/2teaspoonchipotle chile powderor for smokiness without heat use smoked paprika
1tablespoonregular chili powder
generous grating of black pepper
115-ounce candiced tomatoes
5cupsvegetable broth(or water plus 2 servings bouillon)
2tablespoonstomato paste
4cupschopped lettuce or spinach
salt to tasteoptional
Instructions
In a large pot or pressure cooker, saute the onions until they soften. Add the peppers and carrots and cook for another two minutes. Add the garlic and remaining vegetables and cook for another two minutes.
For regular cooking: Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT lettuce and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes, adding additional water or vegetable broth as needed to keep a soupy consistency. Just before serving, stir in the lettuce and salt.
For pressure cooking: Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT lettuce and salt. Lock the lid in place and bring to high pressure. Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes, remove from heat, and allow pressure to come down naturally. (If pressure is not down after 15 minutes, use a quick-release method.) Just before serving, stir in the lettuce and salt.
For slow cooking: Place sauteed vegetables and all remaining ingredients EXCEPT lettuce and salt into slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Just before serving, stir in the lettuce and salt and add additional seasonings, if necessary.
Notes
Depending on the type and amount of broth you use, this recipe can be zero points on Weight Watchers Freestyle program.