Add the vegetable stock and water to a large pot and start bringing to a boil. Add chopped celery, carrot, leek, onion, garlic cloves and bay leaf. Once it comes to a boil, partially cover and simmer for 30 minutes (or until vegetables are tender).

Once tender, remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and transfer to a blender. Remove the bay leaf entirely. Add 1-2 cups of the vegetable broth to the blender as well and blend until smooth.

Pour the blended vegetables back into the vegetable broth and keep simmering on low.

In a small bowl, add the tomato paste and dilute with some of the hot vegetable stock to thin it out while stirring. Add this tomato paste mixture to the pot and stir.

Add in alphabet pasta (or any small pasta of your choice) and continue to stir. Cook until pasta is tender and to your liking.

Add a generous hit of salt, and then pepper and lemon juice to taste.

Option to garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and/or shaved parmesan.