Red Lentil Vegetable Soup

Garnish, garnish, garnish! That is what my family is obsessed with. So, if you are too, you could garnish this soup with: sour cream, cilantro, chives, crushed tortilla chips, grated cheese, and many more options. If not, just make it plain. You won't be dissapointed.

Cooking oil
1-2 cups onion, chopped
garlic to taste, minced
1-2 TBLS tomato paste
salt, pepper, ground cumin, chili/cayenne powder to taste
6-8 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or a combo of broth and water)
1 cup red lentils
1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
1 cup turnips, peeled and diced
lemon juice to taste

In large pot, sauté onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic, tomato paste, and spices. Stir quickly, 1 min. Add the rest of the ingredients (except lemon juice). Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until everything is very tender. Add lemon juice at the end. Check salt.