Friendship Soup in a Jar

This year, I tried something new – yes, I love trying new things. I found this recipe for “Soup in a Jar” and I thought it would make great Christmas gifts. I went off to Bulk Barn and carefully chose the ingredients – making sure that they were gluten free and vegetarian (the soup makers can add meat if they want to). The ingredients….green split peas, vegetable bouillon granules, pearl barley, red lentils, vegetable flakes (you can use just onion flakes but the vegetable ones are very colourful), Italian Seasoning, rice, bay leaves and any small pasta (I chose gluten free coloured mini rigatoni pasta).

In a mason jar, measure…
1/2 cup of dry split peas
1/3 cup of bouillon powder (beef, chicken or vegetable)
1/4 cup of pearl barley
1/2 cup of dry lentils
1/4 cup of dry onion or vegetable flakes
2 teaspoons of Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup of uncooked rice
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup of uncooked alphabet, or any small pasta

Layer the ingredients in the jar up to the pasta. Wrap the pasta in saran wrap (you do this because you put the pasta in last and not with the other ingredients). Tighten the lid and attach the recipe.

Friendship Soup Additional Ingredients Needed:
You can add any additional vegetables and leave out the meat if you are vegetarian.
1 pound ground beef, black pepper to taste, garlic powder to taste, 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes – undrained, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, and 3 quarts water.

To Prepare Soup:
Remove pasta from top of jar, and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain excess fat. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and soup mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.