Heat **2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil** in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook **2 medium onions, chopped**, **4 garlic cloves, finely chopped**, and **one 2" piece ginger, scrubbed, finely chopped**, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, 6–8 minutes. Add **2 tsp. ground cumin** and **¾ tsp. ground turmeric** and stir to coat onions. Season with **freshly ground black pepper**. Add **½ preserved lemon, rinsed, seeds removed, finely chopped**, and **3 Tbsp. double-concentrated tomato paste** and cook, stirring often, until tomato paste is darkened in color, about 4 minutes.
 
##### Step 2
Add **8 cups good-quality low-sodium vegetable****or****chicken broth** and **2 cups red lentils, rinsed**, and bring to a boil, skimming foam from surface as needed. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are very tender and soup is almost creamy, 35–45 minutes.
 
#### Garlic chips and Assembly
##### Step 1
While the lentils are cooking, heat **2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil** in a small saucepan over medium. Cook **4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced**, stirring often, until golden and starting to crisp, about 3 minutes; remove pan from heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic chips to paper towels, leaving oil behind. Lightly season garlic chips with kosher salt. Stir **1 tsp. Aleppo-style pepper** into infused oil in pan and set aside.
 
##### Step 2
Remove soup from heat and stir in **1 cup torn mixed tender herbs****(such as basil, dill, cilantro, and/or parsley)**. If soup is too thick, thin with water. Taste and add up to **½ preserved lemon, rinsed, seeds removed, finely chopped**, if desired (you may find the soup lemony enough as it is). Season with more salt if needed.
 
##### Step 3
Ladle soup into bowls. Top with garlic chips and more herbs and drizzle over reserved pepper oil.