Chop the onion, carrots, and celery and add to the pot with the olive oil. Sauté till softened and lightly browned, 5-7 minutes.
Drop in the garlic and sauté till fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the lentils, cumin, and coriander and stir to combine.
Stir in the broth, bay leaf, and thyme and simmer for 30-40 minutes, till the lentils are tender.
Salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Notes
For a version that simmers on the stovetop for an hour or two, sauté the vegetables just a little bit, but not till soft. The extra cook time will do the job of softening them.
We use one cup of lentils, though two is more traditional. For us, one cup is the perfect amount and allows room for extras like kale or spinach and some diced smoked ham.