cabbage soup with attitude

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 4-5 stalks celery, sliced
• 3-4 medium carrots, sliced or coarsely chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 quarts homemade or low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 3 tablespoons dried chives
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground marjoram
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
• – salt, to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper, or more to taste
• 1 – head cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
• 2 cans petite or regular diced tomatoes with juice (14.5 oz each)
• 1 can V-8 juice (11.5 oz; optional)