Wash and chop vegetables such as onion, carrot, celery, and cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
Pour olive oil into a pot and sauté the onions.
Add the remaining vegetables such as carrots, celery, and cabbage, and stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes.
Add water and tomatoes (chopped or crushed), then bring to a boil.
Add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and other seasonings, and simmer over medium heat for 20–30 minutes.
When the vegetables are fully cooked, remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning to taste.