Gift Idea: Dry Soup Mix

With Purim a month away, it's a good time to start thinking about what to include in your Purim gift baskets. A great idea are dried soup mix which will give friends and families a delicious and nutritous Purim gift! They also make great gifts for newlyweds, new moms or new neighbors.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dried lentils, sorted
• 1/4 cup dried green split peas, sorted
• 1/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 2 tablespoons medium pearl barley
• 4 teaspoons beef or chicken soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 cup uncooked small pasta shells

Ingredients for Preperation:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 8 cups water
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

Directions

• In a 1-pint jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, layer the first nine ingredients in the order listed. Wrap pasta in a small piece of plastic wrap; add to jar. Seal tightly. Store in a cool dry place for up to 3 months. Yield: 1 batch (1-1/2 cups).

Include the following instructions with your soup:

To prepare soup: Remove pasta from top of jar and set aside. In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the water, tomatoes and soup mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes.

• Stir in reserved pasta; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes longer or until pasta, lentils, peas and barley are tender. Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).