Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      tablespoon    oil
   2      medium        onions -- finely chopped
     1/2  pound         red lentils
   6      cups          beef stock -- or chicken stock
   1      teaspoon      paprika
   1                    bay leaf
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
     1/8  teaspoon      pepper
   1      teaspoon      dried mint
   1      teaspoon      dried parsley

Preparation:

In a large soup pot, sauté oil and onions. When onions are soft, add lentils. Stir several minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Simmer until lentils are very soft, about 35 minutes. Soup may be pureed.