I finally got creative... And it paid off

Cabbage Vegetable Soup
source: ME!
Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
• 2 celery stalks, diced small
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chunked
•  2 garlic cloves
• 1/3 c cabbage, coarsely chopped
•  3/4 c dried lentils
• 1 can tomato sauce + 1 can water
• 2 c beef bouillon or 2 tsp. better than beef bouillon base + 2 c water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• beef/steak, chopped into 1/2 in. cubes (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring 1 1/2 c water to boil. Add lentils. Cook at least 10-15 mins.
2. Season meat with pepper, saute in olive oil until cooked through, set aside.
3. Heat up olive oil. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook about 5 mins or until softened. Add garlic, cook about 2 mins. more.
4. Add liquids and seasonings and bring to boil. Add cabbage. Cook another 15-20 mins or until veggies are soft. Serve with parm.