Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 tsp avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
• 2.5 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 can (14-15 oz) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, extra to taste
• 1/2 cup salsa verde (or your favorite salsa!)
• 1 TBSP tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained + rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto  beans, drained + rinsed
• 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• 3/4 cup dried red lentils
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4-1/2 cup heavy cream* (optional - see notes)
• salt and pepper to taste