Best Lentil Soup Recipe Hearty Healthy Comfort Food

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
• 2 carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed (200g)
• 6 cups vegetable broth (1.4 liters)
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (400g)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, or lemon juice
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• A swirl of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche (optional)
• Crusty bread for serving (optional)