Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ¼ cups finely chopped onion
• 1 cup finely chopped carrot
• ¾ cup finely chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp Farm Boy™ Organic Oregano
• ½ tsp Farm Boy™ Organic Ground Cumin
• ¼ tsp Farm Boy™ Crushed Chili Peppers
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup Farm Boy™ Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp Farm Boy™ Organic Tomato Paste
• 1 package Farm Boy™ Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 cup Farm Boy™ Split Red Lentils rinsed and drained
• salt and pepper to taste
• zest and juice of ½ a lemon or more to taste
• ½ cup crumbled Farm Boy™ Organic Feta Cheese
• ½ cup chopped parsley
• lemon wedges for garnish
• crusty bread for serving

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat and add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
2. Add Farm Boy™ Organic Oregano, Farm Boy™ Organic Ground Cumin, Farm Boy™ Crushed Chili Peppers, and bay leaf and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add Farm Boy™ Crushed Tomatoes, Farm Boy™ Organic Tomato Paste, Farm Boy™ Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth, and Farm Boy™ Split Red Lentils. Season with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a gentle boil. Turn heat down to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes.
4. Remove bay leaf and using an immersion blender, pulse the soup in the pot until you reach a creamy texture.
5. Add lemon zest, juice, and parsley. Adjust seasoning and serve, garnished with Farm Boy™ Organic Feta Cheese.
6. Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.