Red Lentil Soup-Turkish Style

• 3 teaspoons butter
• 1 3/4 cups finely chopped onions
• 1 finely chopped carrot
• 1 cup red lentil, washed,picked over and drained
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 6 cups chicken stock or 6 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup milk (optional) or lemon juice (optional)
• salt
• pepper
• cayenne pepper
• crouton
• 3 teaspoons of fresh mint, snipped

1. In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onions, lentils and carrots.
3. Cook, stirring often for 5 minutes.
4. Add paprika and tomato paste and stir well to mix.
5. Reduce heat to low and cook for a few minutes.
6. Gradually add stock or water, stirring constantly.
7. Simmer uncovered until lentils are v-e-r-y soft, around 30 minutes.
8. Transfer to a food processor or blender and puree to smooth.
9. Return to pan and add milk or lemon juice to taste.
10. Taste and add salt, pepper and cayenne.
11. Give it 5 minutes and taste again, adjust seasonings.
12. Ladle into bowls and offer croutons and mint at the table.

butter, onions, carrot, red lentil, paprika, tomato paste, chicken stock, milk, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, crouton, mint

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/red-lentil-soup-turkish-style-16781 (may not work)