Sausage Cabbage Soup(Makes 6-8 servings)

This tasty soup is well worth the effort of chopping a few vegetables  For ease in preparation, coleslaw salad mix can easily be used in place of the chopped cabbage. Be certain to check out the fat grams in each smoked sausage package. You will find the fat grams range from 2.5 grams per serving to 17 or 18 grams per serving. Of course the lower number is far more heart healthy.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 medium carrots, halved and thinly sliced
1 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
4 cups water
2 cups chopped cabbage
1 (14-ounce) pkg. reduced fat or regular smoked sausage, halved and cut into thin slices
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt, if you wish
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. In soup kettle, heat oil and butter. Sauté onion until tender

2. Add carrots and celery; sauté a few minutes

3. Add caraway;  cook about a minute

4. Add water, cabbage, sausage, tomatoes and brown sugar; bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender

6. Add beans, vinegar, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered 5-10 minutes more or until heated through.