Clean and rinse quinoa well and set aside.
Chop all the vegetables.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and add in chopped onion, crushed garlic and chopped celery.
Saute for a couple of minutes and then add in all the vegetables and saute for few more minutes.
Add in chilli powder,thyme, bay leaf and salt.
Roughly chop tomatoes and grind to make a paste.
Add in this tomato paste to the pan and stir well to mix.
Also, add in quinoa and 5 cups of hot water.
When the mixture comes to a boil, cover and simmers for about 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes the soup will be almost ready. Before removing add in the juice of half of a lemon and parsley.
Give the last stir and remove from heat.
Transfer to individual bowls, garnish with some grated cheese and serve immediately.
