How to make
Wash and place the lentils in a pot of cold water to boil. Boil them for about 5 minutes, strain them, wash them and pour fresh cold water.
Put the pot on the stove and add the cleaned and finely chopped celery, garlic and bay leaves. Once it boils, reduce the hob to low heat.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions and carrots and fry them until the vegetables soften. Add the peeled and diced tomatoes and fry them, until they're left in fat.
At the end, add the paprika, stir and pour the thickener into the simmering lentils. Boil until they're fully cooked, if necessary and add hot water during cooking.
Remove the pot with the cooked lentils from the hob, sprinkle them with black pepper and thyme, close the lid and leave them for about 10 minutes before serving.
