Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Mix

3 cup black beans, sorted - put in jar or bag.

3 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
3 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. crushed oregano
2 tsp. salt
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (do not omit)
Combine spices in a small bag.

1 1/2 cups white rice - put in a separate package.

Label:
Wash beans. Put in pot with seasonings. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and cover beans with 2" water. Bring to boil and simmer until very well done (about 2 hours). Beans should be very soft. Add water as needed to keep beans from sticking. There should be some liquid left on beans when done. To cook rice, put 3 cup water and 1 tsp salt into a pot and when it boils, add rice. Lower heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes. Serve about 1/2 cup rice in bowl, and put beans on the top. Sprinkle with minced cilantro, finely chopped green onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Tortilla Soup Mix in a Jar

Ingredients for Jar:
1 cup converted long grain rice
2 to 2-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 (5 oz.) can chicken

Seasonings: Mix the following and place in a thin zipper sandwich bag.
2 T. chicken bouillon granules
2 t. lemonade powder with sugar
1 t. lemon pepper
1 t. dried cilantro leaves
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. salt
1/4 cup dried minced onions

Size of jar: Quart

Place ingredients in jar in this order:
1. Place rice in jar first.
2. Place seasoning packet into jar next. Gently flatten bag so it is visible from all sides of jar.
3. Fill jar with tortilla chips.
4. Put lid on jar.
5. Attach can of chicken to top of jar.
6. Decorate jar.
7. Attach the following recipe to jar.

Tortilla Soup
1. Carefully empty tortilla chips from jar into a dish. Set aside.
2. Remove seasoning packet. Set aside.
3. Place rice in large pan. Add 10 cups water and 1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chilies and seasonings from packet.
4. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
5. Add tortilla chips. Cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.
Makes 12 cups soup.

Palouse Soup Mix

2-1/2 c. green split peas (16 oz. pkg.)
2-1/2 c. lentils (16 oz. pkg.)
2-1/2 c. pearl barley (16 oz. pkg.)
2 c. alphabet macaroni (8 oz. pkg.)--OR use brown rice instead
1 c. dried onion flakes (2 3/8-oz. pkgs.)
1/2 c. celery flakes (1 3/8-oz. pkg.)
1/2 c. parsley flakes (1 1/4-oz. pkg.)
Optional: 1-1/2 t. thyme AND/OR 1-1/2 t. white pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a jar with a tight- fitting lid. Stir before using. Makes 10 c. of mix.

ATTACH TO JAR:

PALOUSE SOUP MIX: Combine 1 c. of soup mix with 4 c. of water or seasoned stock in large pan. Add 1 c. of cooked chopped meat, if desired. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover pan. Simmer gently for 45 to 60 minutes, or until peas are tender. Add 1/2 t. salt if desired.

MINESTRONE VARIATION: Combine 1 c. of soup mix with a 16-oz. can of stewed tomatoes, 2 to 3 c. water or stock, 1 chopped carrot, 1 to 2 chopped potatoes, and 1/2 t. basil. (Optional: 1 clove minced garlic). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover pan. Simmer 45 to 60 minutes or until peas are tender. Add 1/2 t. salt, if desired.

Pasta Soup Mix

1/2 cup small shell macaroni or other small pasta
1/4 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried chopped mushrooms (optional)
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon minced dried onion
1 Tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
Dash garlic powder

Mix all ingredients in a plastic bag or an airtight container; store, tightly sealed, until needed.


Pasta Soup
Combine contents of package with 3 cups water in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 40 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Makes 3 side dish servings.


Pea Soup
Combine pasta soup mix with 3-1/2 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat, cover and simmer 35 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 3 oz. frozen pea pods, halved crosswise and 2 tsps. soy sauce. Cover and cook 2-3 minutes more. Garnish each serving with enoki mushrooms or regular mushrooms, sliced thin, and cilantro.
Makes 3-4 appetizer servings.


Curry Chicken Soup
Combine pasta soup mix with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 35 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add 13-oz. can evaporated milk (1-2/3 cups), 3/4 cup diced cooked chicken and 1-1/2 to 2 tsps. curry powder.
Garnish with apple slices and fresh mint leaves.
Makes 3-4 main-dish servings.


Pepperoni-Vegetable Soup
Combine pasta soup mix, 3 cups water, 1 12-oz. can V-8 juice, and 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 35 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 4-6 oz. sliced pepperoni. Cover and simmer 5 minutes more.
Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Holiday Bean Soup Mix

1 pound dried black beans
1 pound dried red beans
1 pound dried kidney beans
1 pound dried navy beans
1 pound dried great northern beans
1 pound dried baby lima beans
1 pound dried large lima beans
1 pound dried pinto beans
1 pound dried green split peas
1 pound dried yellow split peas
1 pound dried black-eyed peas
1 pound dried green lentils
1 pound dried brown lentils

Combine beans in a very large bowl. Pour two cups of bean mix into pretty jars ( 16-oz.) jars holds two cups of bean mix. Give with the following recipe for holiday bean soup. You could also layer the beans in the jar for prettier effect. Just put a little of each of the beans in until you fill it to the top.

Attach To Jar:

Holiday Bean Soup

beans from jar
1 smoked ham hock
2 cans ( 14.5 oz each ) stewed tomatoes
1 medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 bay leaf
6 cups water
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin seed

Cover beans with water and soak overnight. Drain beans and place in a stockpot. Add ham hock, tomatoes, onion, garlic, bay leaf and 6 cups of water, and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover & simmer 1 hour or until beans are tender. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve warm. Makes 11 cups of soup.

Minestrone Soup Mix

1/2 cup dried onion flakes
1/2 cup dried green bell pepper flakes
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup beef bouillon
in addition
1 pound dried white beans
1 pound dried kidney beans
4 cups uncooked small shells or elbow macaroni

Combine the flavorings. Divide into 4 parts and place in small zip lock bags.

Combine the beans.

In 4 jars divide and layer the pasta.

Stick in the flavorings package.

Divide and layer the beans.

Seal jar.

Attach note:
Minestrone Soup
In addition to contents, you will need
2-1/2 quarts, water
1 carrot, zucchini, or yellow squash, sliced
4 oz. cooked ham, chopped
14-1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes, undrained

Soak beans overnight. Drain. Add 2-1/2 quarts cold water, flavoring mix, vegetables, and ham. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally 2 hours. Add tomatoes & pasta, return to a boil; reduce to medium, and cook 20 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Makes 8 servings.

Layered Friendship Soup Mix in a Jar

1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup alphabet macaroni or other small macaroni (Sealed in a plastic sandwich bag to make it easier for the recipient to get out of jar.)

In a 1 1/2-pint jar, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Seal tightly. Makes 1 batch Friendship Soup Mix.

Instructions to Attach to Jar:
"Friendship Soup Mix"
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
3 quarts water
1 (28-ounces) can diced tomatoes, un-drained

To prepare soup: Remove macaroni from top of jar and set aside. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown beef; drain. Add the water, tomatoes and soup mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Add reserved macaroni; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender. Makes 16 servings (4 quarts).

Chili Seasoning Mix in a Jar Recipe

1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup dried onion (flakes or minced)
2/3 cup chili powder
3 tbsp beef bouillon powder or salt
1-1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp pepper
2 tsp sugar

Mix all ingredients, stirring very well to combine. Pack in a 2 cup jar and attach gift tag with instructions.

The instructions are as follows:

Brown or microwave 1 pound of ground beef (Optional: you can chop and add an onion if you wish). Sprinkle 1/3 cup of chili seasoning mix over beef, and stir well. Add a 19 oz can of crushed tomatoes; a 15 oz can undrained kidney beans; a 14 oz can of baked beans. Simmer or reheat in the microwave for 20 minutes until flavors are mixed and chili is hot.