Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients:
2 cups red lentils (soak for 30 minutes before cooking, then drain)
1 yellow onion, chopped
4-6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 to 2 tomatoes, diced (or a can of diced tomatoes, drained)
1/2 cup rice
8 - 10 oz. can of tomato sauce
2 t. cumin
1 t. allspice
1/2 - 1 t. red pepper flakes
(cumin, allspice and red pepper flake amount can be adjusted to your taste preference!)
Seasonings: salt, black pepper, allspice, cumin, and crushed red pepper
Fresh lemons for squeezing over soup


Directions:
1.  Rinse and drain the lentils after soaking for 30 minutes. Put lentils into a pan, cover with about 4 cups water. Bring lentils to a boil, as the lentils boil, scoop away foam that forms. Let boil about 5 minutes till lentils start breaking apart.
2. (Use a larger pot) Saute onion in olive oil till onions are soft (5-10 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add spices and diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
3.  Add lentils with the water to the onion and spice mixture. Add uncooked rice, one can of tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to simmer ingredients together till rice is cooked and lentils have begun to break apart.
4.  Season to taste with: salt and black pepper
5.  (Optional) Blend in a blender for smooth texture. (I always blend it!)

Serve with freshly squeezed lemon