Mumma's Magic Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 medium carrots

• 2 red, orange, or yellow peppers

• ½ medium-sized butternut squash or 1 large sweet potato

• 100g red lentils

• 1 red onion

• 1 vegetable stock cube or 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder

• 750ml boiling water

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 400g can of tomatoes

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Chop all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

2. Sauté:

   • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 6-7 minutes until translucent.

3. Add Vegetables:

   • Add the remaining vegetables (carrots, peppers, butternut squash or sweet potato) and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes.

4. Season:

   • Sprinkle in the paprika and garlic powder. Stir to coat the vegetables evenly and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

5. Prepare the Stock:

   • Dissolve the stock cube or bouillon powder in the boiling water. Pour the stock into the pot, along with the red lentils and canned tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Simmer:

   • Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables and lentils are soft.

7. Blend:

   • Use a stick blender or liquidizer to blend the soup into a smooth consistency.

8. Serve:

   • Serve hot, accompanied by a toasted cheese sandwich, preferably on wholegrain bread. Enjoy!