Cabbage Soup Recipe, Moosewood and Indonesian-Style

This Indonesian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup recipe is the perfect meal once winter comes along. Influenced by what they call a Gado-Gado sauce, it’s made from peanut butter and spices to use as a salad sauce. Despite the hefty amount of spices and vegetables it requires, this dish only takes less than an hour to make. This local staple is a symphony of flavors, providing a rich and hearty broth to warm your heart. Besides the sweet potato and cabbage as stars of the meal, the bean sprouts, cilantro, and tomatoes enhance the flavors. This cabbage soup recipe is a great addition to a healthy diet.

When it comes to Southeast Asian cuisine, one thing they have in common is the ability to make food with bold and exotic flavor. Each dish contrasts with intense and subtle flavors that you can taste in this soup. This Indonesian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup recipe is a treat for vegetarians, as it is meat-free, and has the Indonesian touch of herbs and spices. The savory organic vegetable broth locks the flavors together all in one bowl.

At a glance, the dish seems like a challenge. Worry not! It takes a handful of items easily found in the kitchen and 45 minutes of your time. Though not as simple as dunking everything in there, making the best soup demands a small ounce of patience and a little bit of love. It’s no wonder why your Mom’s homemade soup tops even those of Michelin chefs!

If you prefer a more protein-packed meal or you cannot do without meat, try our Beef Stew Winter Vegetables recipe. It’s still a healthy alternative especially for those who are looking for a more flavorful dish.

How To Make Indonesian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup

A Southeast Asian dish filled with local herbs and spices, a healthy dose of vegetables and a savory vegetable broth all in one bowl.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 45 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

1 tbsp ginger root
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 ½ cups onion, chopped
½ tsp salt
2 ½ cups cabbage, chopped
2 ½ cups Sweet Potatoes, diced
4 cups organic vegetable broth
½ cup natural peanut butter
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 oz bean sprouts
1 tbsp cilantro
1 tbsp scallions

Instructions

In a pot, cook the ginger root, garlic, and cayenne pepper in vegetable oil for a few minutes.
Add the onions and salt and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions soften.
Stir in the cabbage, sweet potatoes, and 3 ½ cups of broth.
Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Afterwhich, turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and remaining broth.
Add the mixture to the pot along with the soy sauce and tomatoes and cook for 5 more minutes.
Top the soup with cilantro and bean sprouts, scallions, mint, or basil and serve. Bon Appetit!

Recipe Notes

You can use mint, basil, or scallions as an alternative for cilantro.

Nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken stock apart from vegetable stock?

Yes, however, the flavor may alter depending on the type of stock used. Vegetable stock is made from pure vegetables while chicken stock is a combination of chicken and vegetable flavor. The latter would produce a richer, meatier flavor whereas vegetable stock has a subtle yet savory flavor that would not overpower the rest of the ingredients.

What is Gado-Gado sauce?

Gado-Gado which means “mixes”, is an Indonesian salad sauce. It is typically made up of peanut butter, roasted garlic, tamarind, dried shrimp paste, coconut palm sugar, coconut milk, and chili. However, Indonesian cultures like Sundanese and Javanese all have their own version of the sauce.

Conclusion

The Indonesian Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup draw its flavor from the ginger root and cayenne pepper essence. The starch potatoes and thick peanut butter give the soup a hearty texture, fused with a variety of vegetables like cabbage, cilantro, and bean sprouts to give it a healthy boost. The amount of ingredients needed to make this recipe is nothing to be scared of as this dish is simple enough to make.