Smoky Lentil Potato Soup

Name: Smoky Lentil Potato Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Ingredients: 1 medium yellow onion, fine dice; 1 red bell pepper, fine dice; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 1 Tablespoon tomato paste; 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth *; 5 cups water; 1 – [ 14.5 oz. can ] petite diced tomatoes; 1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari *; ½ teaspoon hot sauce *; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda *; 1 cup uncooked brown lentils (or French lentils), picked through and rinsed *; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 ¼ teaspoons smoked paprika (+/-) *; ¾ teaspoon regular chili powder (+/-) *; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 bay leaf; ½ to 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt (+/-) *; 3 ½ to 4 cups potatoes, peeled or unpeeled, small cube; 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar