The best Lentil Soup in 30 minutes! Quick and easy recipe

The best Lentil Soup in 30 minutes! Quick and easy recipe.

Ingredients for 4 servings:
1 cup = 250 ml

- 1 cup (~220 g) red lentils (only red!)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 leek
- 1 medium carrot
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 medium potato
- Salt, pepper, a pinch of cumin
- Tomato paste (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 liter boiling water or broth
- A small bunch of cilantro or parsley
- Lemon juice to taste (about 1 tablespoon)

Instructions:
1) Rinse the lentils well with warm water until they become translucent.
2) Roughly chop the onion. Slice the carrot and potato thinly for quicker preparation.
3) In a small pot, heat the vegetable and the butter, sauté the onion over medium heat until soft, stirring occasionally. Add the carrot. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt, cumin, and paprika. (Add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste). Mix well and add the potato. Let it sauté briefly. Add the rinsed lentils, stir, pour in 1 liter of boiling water or broth, salt. When it boils, cover and let simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Then blend the vegetables with an immersion blender. The soup should be fairly thick. If necessary, some hot water can be added.
4) Season with salt, pepper. Add some herbs (reserve some for serving), lemon juice to taste (should have a slight tang), heat for a minute, then turn off the heat.