Red Lentil Soup with Bacon and Tomato - Oryana

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• butter or olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup red lentils
• black pepper to taste
• chopped fresh cilantro