Red Lentil Soup-Turkish Style - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 teaspoons butter
1 3/4 cups finely chopped onions
1 finely chopped carrot
1 cup red lentil, washed,picked over and drained
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons tomato paste
6 cups chicken stock or 6 cups vegetable stock
1 cup milk (optional) or lemon juice (optional)
salt
pepper
cayenne pepper
crouton
3 teaspoons of fresh mint, snipped

Preparation

In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
Add onions, lentils and carrots.
Cook, stirring often for 5 minutes.
Add paprika and tomato paste and stir well to mix.
Reduce heat to low and cook for a few minutes.
Gradually add stock or water, stirring constantly.
Simmer uncovered until lentils are v-e-r-y soft, around 30 minutes.
Transfer to a food processor or blender and puree to smooth.
Return to pan and add milk or lemon juice to taste.
Taste and add salt, pepper and cayenne.
Give it 5 minutes and taste again, adjust seasonings.
Ladle into bowls and offer croutons and mint at the table.