Irish country soup

175g un-smoked streaky Irish bacon

olive or sunflower oil

150g potatoes, peeled and chopped into 5mm pieces

50g onions, finely chopped

1 small garlic clove (optional)

450g very ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced or 400g tin of tomatoes and juice

salt

freshly ground pepper

½-1 tsp sugar

750ml homemade chicken stock or vegetable stock

50g cabbage, finely chopped

chopped parsley, to garnish