Canh Bap Cai Tom Thit (Vietnamese Cabbage Soup)

In a traditional Vietnamese meal, some type vegetable soup, or "canh", usually accompanies the meal as side dish to help wash down the rice and salty main dishes. This soup can be a side dish or can be consumed with rice as a whole meal by itself. Made with cabbage, shrimp, and ground pork, this soup is simple to make, refreshing, and can be enjoyed at any time of year.

10 cups of chicken stock
1/2 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb lean ground pork
6 gloves of garlic
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp ground pepper
1 medium sized green cabbage, cleaned, leaves separated, and cut into 2-inch strips
4 scallions, sliced

1. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a large stockpot
2. In a food processor, mince the shrimp and garlic together. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and mix in the ground pork, black pepper, and 1 tbsp of fish sauce.
3. Add the shrimp and pork mixture to the stockpot in large teaspoon-size lumps one lump at a time. Let boil for another two minutes.
4. Add the cabbage strips and the remaining fish sauce and cook for five minute.
5. Lower the heat to a simmer for another five minutes. Stir in sliced scallions and serve immediately.