Fresh ginger Salt and pepper to taste ~ slice cabbage thinly to create cabbage strips, half onion and slice thinly to create half rings crush, slice or dice garlic grate ginger Put everything in a large soup pot and add water to cover plus a little more. Bring to boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours (longer the better). Don't be afraid to add more tomato, sugar, or vinegar if you like it more tomatoey, sweeter, or more sour. Taste a couple hours into the cooking for adjustment. The cabbage will have imparted its flavor and the tomatoes will have mellowed. You can also add rice during the last 45 30 minutes (also add the more water appropriate for the amount of rice you add. For example, I added 3/4 cup brown rice and 1 1/2 cup water the last 40 minutes) Or add a can of white or gabanzo beans. (Again these won't need cooking, so just add at the end) [If you're not a vegetarian, you can use b**f or ch*ck*n stock. Even some browned ground m**t or soup bones.]