First of all, fill your kettle and boil the water.
Meanwhile, gently heat your olive oil in a deep saucepan and add your onion.
until your onion starts to sweat and now add your lentils.
Stir around until the onions and oil have coated your lentils.
Now add your garlic and spices and stir in.
Add your salça (tomato paste) and stir in thoroughly
Turn the heat to high and immediately add 5 mugs of hot water from the kettle (use the same size mug as the one for your lentils).
Bring to the boil whilst stirring to mix in your tomato paste.
Now cover and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, check your soup. Taste your lentils to see if they have softened. Add more water if needed.
Cook for longer, if necessary but don't let your lentils get so soft that they go mushy. Keep them whole.
When your green lentil soup is ready, use a hand blender and give your soup a couple of pulses. Some of the lentils will blend to make your soup thicker whilst others will remain whole.