Spring Red Lentil Soup - Oryana

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons olive oil + more for drizzling
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 medium Yukon gold potato, diced
• Salt, to taste
• white pepper, to taste
• big handful baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
• fresh lemon juice, to taste, start with 1 teaspoon