Black Lentil Soup With Black Pepper And Cumin Seeds

Name: Black Lentil Soup With Black Pepper And Cumin Seeds
Ingredients: 3 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell peppers; 1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns; 1/4 tsp cumin seeds; 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots; 1/4 cup finely chopped celery; 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion; 1 large garlic clove, smashed and chopped; 1 x Turkish bay leaf; 1 sprig Italian parsley; 1 cup lentils, preferably Beluga; 4 - 4 1/2 cup chicken stock; Salt, to taste; Creme fraiche or sour cream, for serving (optional); A few leaves of Italian parsley, finely chopped, for serving (optional)