Instant pot lentil soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 4 carrots chopped into little chunks
• 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper a few shakes is fine
• 3 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 32 ounces chicken broth 
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 7 shakes
• 1 1/2 cups lentils 
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Instructions

• Turn your Instant Pot on to sauté - normal
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes
• Add carrots, celery, garlic, salt and pepper and sauté for 3 minutes
• Add lentils, broth, water, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, thyme, bay leaves and tomato paste
• Seal instant pot, make sure the venting knob is sealed and push the soup/broth button - which should be on a 20 minute timer
• Once the IP beeps, either let it release the pressure naturally or do a quick release