Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup with Rice

Name: Thai Red Curry Lentil Soup with Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Asian, Thai
Ingredients: 1 medium yellow onion, fine dice; 1 red bell pepper, fine dice; 1 carrot, fine dice; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 2 teaspoon minced ginger; 1 Tablespoon tomato paste; 3 Tablespoons red curry paste *; 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth *; 5 cups water; 1 – [ 14.5 oz. can ] petite diced tomatoes; 1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari *; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda *; 1 ½ cups dry brown lentils (or French lentils), picked through and rinsed *; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 ¼ teaspoons curry powder (+/-) *; ½ to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt (+/-) *; 1 teaspoon lime juice; ½ cup light coconut milk (can) optional *; Steamed rice (of choice)