Ham and cabbage soup - chinese grandma

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled (or well-scrubbed) and chopped
• 6 cups sliced cabbage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups (about 2/3 pound) cooked ham, diced (use less if country ham – 1/2 lb or 1.5 cups)
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 4 cups)
• 1 16-ounce package frozen corn (optional)
• 1 cup cream (or half-and-half or milk)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Parsley, minced, for garnish (optional)