Creating your own Hearty Lentil and Potato Soup is easy with these simple steps:

1. Prep Your Ingredients: Begin by washing the lentils and chopping the onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes.
2. Heat the Oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Combine Ingredients: Add the diced potatoes and washed lentils into the pot.
6. Season the Soup: Pour in the vegetable broth. Add cumin, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
7. Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
8. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 30–40 minutes or until lentils and potatoes are tender.
9. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
10. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.