French Peasant Soup

Ingredients

• 4 quarts water
• 12 ounces Great Northern beans, picked over
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 6 carrots, chopped
• 1/2 bunch celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
• 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
• 5 medium potatoes, diced
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper