Cabbage and Apple Soup

Since yesterday I posted a recipe from my sister-in-law, Andrea, I thought I might as well post another apple recipe from a different Andrea today! My brother-in-law's girlfriend forwarded me the recipe she used (from Epicurious.com) to make an interesting apple dish; cabbage soup with apples and thyme. On a cool misty evening, it was nice to start off our apple-filled meal with a warm bowl of savory soup!

Ingredients

3 tbsp butter (Earth Balance to make it Vegan)

1 tbsp olive oil

8 cups thinly sliced green cabbage

1 large onion, chopped

8 thyme sprigs

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and cut into cubes

Melt 1 tablespoon butter with oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add cabbage and onion; sauté until vegetables wilt and brown, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add 8 thyme sprigs and sauté 1 minute longer.

Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and sauté until brown and tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove thyme sprigs from soup. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with apples and chopped fresh thyme and serve.