Vegetable Lentil Soup - Fill Your Plate

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 Celery stalks, chopped
• 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp Coarse salt
• 1 Small tomato, chopped
• 1 Tbsp Tomato paste
• 2 Cups Brown or green lentils
• 2 Tsp Cumin
• 1 Tsp Dried thyme
• 1 Bay leaf
• Pinch Ground black pepper
• 6 Cups Chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 Cups Water