What a great winter gift!

Soup Mix in a Jar

Friendship Soup

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 onion flakes
2 teaspoons Italian-style seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta
2 bay leaves

Directions
In a 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the split peas, bouillon, barley, lentils, onion, Italian-style seasoning, rice, and bay leaves. Place the macaroni in a square of plastic wrap and put in the jar. Seal tightly.

Attach a label to the jar that says:
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground beef, 3 quarts water, 1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes-undrained, 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste, pepper and garlic to taste.
TO PREPARE SOUP: Remove macaroni from top of jar and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain any excess fat. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and soup mix. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Add the reserved macaroni, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes more or until the macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender.

Potato Soup

1 3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups dry milk
2 tablespoons instant chicken bullion
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

Combine all ingredients. in a bowl and mix. Makes 6 servings. Place in 1 quart canning jars to store.

Attach the following instructions:
To serve: Place 1/2 cup mix in soup bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

Tortilla Soup

1 cup converted long grain rice
2 to 2 1/2 cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
1 (5 oz.) can chicken
1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
Seasonings:
Mix the following and place in a zip-close sandwich bag.
2 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoon lemon-flavored sugar
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon dried cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 wide-mouth quart jar and lid

Place ingredients in jar in this order:
Add rice to the jar first.
Add the seasoning packet into jar.
Fill jar with tortilla chips.
Add the lid to the jar.
Decorate and attach the directions to the jar.
You might want to attach the can of chicken to top of the jar. This can be done by taping it to the top of the jar. Cut a larger than normal circle of fabric to cover the can and the top part of the jar. Attach the fabric with ribbon or twine.
Or you can simply include both extra cans and the soup mix in a little bag or basket.
Attach the following directions to the top of the jar:
Tortilla Soup Mix in a Jar
Remove tortilla chips and seasoning packet from the jar into a dish and set aside. In a one-gallon soup pot, add the rice and 10 cups of water. Add 1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, plus the seasoning packet included in the jar. Bring to a boil; then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add tortilla chips, replace the cover and simmer 5 more minutes. Makes 3 quarts soup. Enjoy!