Turkish Red Lentil Soup

Name: Turkish Red Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Asian, Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 TBSP olive oil; 1/2 onion (diced); 1 clove garlic (minced); 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (canned, drained); 5 cups chicken stock (vegetable for vegan option); 1/2 cup red lentils; 1/2 cup basmati rice (or wild or brown); 2 TBSP tomato paste; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 1 TBSP mint leaves (dried or fresh); 1/2 tsp salt (to taste); 1/2 tsp black pepper (to taste)