Lentil Vegetable Soup

It's been too long since I posted recipes here, but was inspired to start again. Since this is one of my favourite lentil soups, I thought I'd start again by posting this one. It has always been popular, whenever we've served it. 

Lentil Vegetable Soup
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp.  ground cumin (you can also use curry paste if you're in the mood)
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 potato, peeled and diced
1 c. dried red lentils, rinced
4 c. vegetable stock
¼ tsp. pepper
Salt to taste
1 tbsp. lemon juice
dash hot red pepper sauce, optional
2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Heat oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender and
fragrant, about 5 min. Add curry powder and cook for 30 seconds.
Add carrot, celery and potato and combine well. Stir in lentils and stock. Bring to boil.
Add pepper and salt. Cook gently, covered, for 30 min.