Turkish Red Lentil Soup

Turkish Red Lentil Soup 

Ingredients:
· Red Lentils washed – 2 cups
· Large Onion – 1
· Carrot – 1
· Tomato Paste – 1 dessert spoon
· Cumin – 1 teaspoon
· Praprika – 1 teaspoon
· Red Pepper Flakes – 1/2 teaspoon
· Beef Stock or Veg Stock Cube – 1
· Mint dried – 1 to 2 teaspoons
· Thyme Kekik – 1 to 2 teaspoons
· Salt and Pepper – Season for Taste
· Water – 1 to 1/2 litres
· Olive Oil or your preferred oil – 1 desert spoon
Instructions:
Start by heating oil
Add chopped Onions and Carrot and cook until soft.
Add  the Cumin, Paprika and Red pepper flakes  mix into your onion and carrot mix. Then add in your red lentils and mix together.
Allow lentils to cook for a few  minutes.
Add your choice of stock
Pour your water over your mixture.  Then add in your tomato paste and mix through.  Allow your soup to come to the boil allow to boil for 3 to 5 minutes then reduce to simmer.  Simmer for about 30 mins or until your lentils have turned to a pulp (mushy).
 Then add in your mint and thyme (you can use oregano if you prefer).  Then season to taste.
Serve with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and mint on top with some nice crusty bread.