Red Lentil Soup

Name: Red Lentil Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, African
Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 1 yellow onion, diced; 3 carrots, peeled and diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 Tbsp. tomato paste; 1 Tbsp. honey (or vegan alternative such as maple syrup or agave nectar); 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt; 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin; 1 ½ tsp. ground coriander; 1 tsp. ground ginger; 1 tsp. cinnamon; Pinch cayenne pepper (optional); 2 cups red lentils, rinsed; 6 cups water, vegetable or chicken broth; 1 bay leaf; Juice of one lemon