Easy Red Lentil Soup

I am a newbie to cooking and my first success has been this soup! Everyone loves it and now I can't stop making it!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  cup split red lentils
• 2  cups water
• 2  celery ribs
• 3  carrots
• 1  tablespoon  chopped garlic
• 0.5 (3 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2  cups  chicken stock or 2  cups  vegetable stock
• 3  cups water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Boil red lentils and water for one hour.
2. Chop celery, carrots and garlic.
3. Add stock and water to pot of lentils.
4. Add celery, carrots and garlic to pot of lentils.
5. Bring to boil.
6. Add tomato paste, cayenne pepper and salt.
7. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
8. Serve the thick, rich soup and enjoy!
9. Add more or less stock and/or water depending on how thick/thin you like your soup.