Hearty Gluten-Free Lentil Soup

Ingredients

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Onion

1 large, diced

Carrot

1 large, diced

Celery

2 stalks, diced

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Lentils

1 cup, rinsed (green or brown)

Vegetable broth

4 cups

Tomato paste

2 tablespoons

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Paprika

1 teaspoon

Salt

1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)

Fresh parsley

1/4 cup, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
3. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened to your desired consistency.
5. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.