Red Lentil Soup

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,plus extra to serve
• 1 large onion, coarsly chopped
• 4 garlic cloves,crushed
• 2 cups red lentils, washed and drained
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin, plus extra to serve
• 1 teaspoon seasalt,plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 6.5 cups filtered water
• Pinch freshly ground pepper to serve
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1. warm olive oil in a deep pan over low to medium heat
2. add chopped onions and stir for 3 mins, or until soften, then add crushed garlic and stir for 2 more minutes or until garlic starts to sizzle.
3. add water and stir gently, and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to lowest, cover the pan and leave to simmer for 30 mins, stir twice or 3 times during cooking and check if it needs more water. Make sure the pan is covered while simmering.
4. when lentils are completely cooked, the soup will look creamy and the lentils will dissolve in the liquid. Turn the heat off . check seasoning, add a pinch of salt if needed. Leave to cool down before blending.
5. blend all ingredients in a blender for 1-2 mins, or until soup is smooth and creamy.
6. warm it up if cold then add a dash of lemon juice, and serve in separate bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of ground cumin and some freshly ground black pepper.

extra virgin olive oil, onion, garlic, red lentils, ground cumin, seasalt, tomato paste, filtered water, freshly ground pepper, lemon juice

Taken from food52.com/recipes/53829-red-lentil-soup (may not work)