Greek Lentil Soup

2 cups brown lentils
4 sticks celery, diced finely
4 carrots, peeled and diced
4 onions, diced
8 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp tomato paste
5 litres water
3 tbsp sweet paprika
1/3 cup olive oil

Bring the water to the boil, add the lentils. Allow to boil for approximately 20mins.
In a smaller separate saucepan saute the sweet paprika in some of the olive oil until it starts to change colour. Add the onion, celery and garlic and saute for a little longer.
Add the sauteed vegetables to the boiling lentils. Add the carrot and celery to the lentils.
Season the soup with salt, pepper and the remaining olive oil. Taste then adjust the seasonings.
Simmer the soup until all the vegetables are very soft, approximately a further 30mins.
Serve