Vegan brown lentil soup:

Vegan brown lentil soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried brown lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse lentils and set aside.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onion is translucent.
4. Add carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften.
5. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
6. Add vegetable broth and lentils to the pot and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Remove bay leaf before serving.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.