Friendship Soup Mix

[Karen]

Friendship Soup Mix

1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup green or yellow dried split peas
1/4 cup wild rice
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1/2 red or brown lentils
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1 to 1 1/4 cups tri-colored corkscrew pasta (or enough to fill jar)

1. Layer ingredients in order given into a 1-quart wide mouth jar with a tight fitting lid. Pack down firmly after each layer. Seal jar.

2. Cover top of jar with fabric. Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.

Makes one 1-quart jar.

Recipe for gift tag:

1 jar Friendship Soup Mix
6 cups your favorite reduced-sodium vegetable stock
6 cups water
1/2 to 1 pound ground beef or turkey, browned and drained well (optional)

1. Remove pasta from jar; set aside

2. Pour stock and water into a 5-6 quart saucepot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add remaining contents of jar; return to a boil, Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover; simmer for 20-30 minutes or until rice, lentils and peas are tender.

3. Add pasta and meat, if desired, to soup. Return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover; simmer 10-15 minutes longer or until pasta is done. Refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 12 servings.