Hearty Lentil and Kale Soup Recipe

Name: Hearty Lentil and Kale Soup Recipe
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion chopped (Optional); 3 garlic cloves minced and 1 garlic clove, mashed (Optional); 6½ cups water; 1¼ cup brown lentils rinsed and drained; ½ large bunch coarsely chopped kale; 1 medium russet potato diced; ¼ cup lemon juice; 3-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast; Salt and black pepper to taste