* GRACE *

Layered Patchwork Soup Mix

I can’t take credit for this recipe.   I found it on here at Allrecipes.com.  I did alter it a bit and the altered version is here on my blog.  You can go to the above link for the original.  The picture as of today for that recipe is from me.

Before I gave the soup as a gift, I wanted to try it.  Actually, I made the jars first, then decided to make the soup with my leftover dry ingredients.  It’s definitely tasty enough to give out. A perfectly simple soup for a cold day.  I gave the jars as Christmas gifts to members of my somewhat newly acquired step-family.  The jars were fun and easy to make. I think they’re pretty too!

Layered Patchwork Soup Mix

Ingredients
* 1/2 cup pearled Barley
* 1/4 cup dried Green Split Peas
* 1/4 cup dried Yellow Split Peas
* 1/2 cup uncooked Brown Rice
* 1/2 cup dry Lentils
* 1/4 cup dry Red Lentils
* 1 teaspoon dried Parsley
* 1 teaspoon granulated Garlic
* 1 teaspoon Salt
* 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
* 1 teaspoon dried Sage
* 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
* 1/2 teaspoon ground Black Pepper

Directions
1. In a pint jar layer in order bottom to top: barley, green split peas, red lentils, lentils, yellow split peas, and brown rice.
2. In a small plastic bag combine the parsley, garlic, pepper, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and sage.
3. Decorate jar lid and attach seasoning packet with ribbon to jar. Attach a recipe card with the following directions:

Empty jar contents into a colander and rinse.  Place contents in a large stockpot and cover with 10 cups water. Stir in 1 chopped medium onion, and the seasoning packet. Bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Check after 30 minutes and add additional water if necessary. This recipe serves 8.

My Notes
Jar Contents: I bought the dry ingredients at the bulk section of Winco Foods, but you should be able to find them at a normal grocery store in the dry beans/soup section. Line the jars up and measure out one ingredient at a time then move on to the next ingredient. Don’t shake the jars though, the layering effect will be ruined. Decorate the jar lid with a sticker or perhaps a cut piece of cloth between the lid and ring. A gift wrap bow would be cute too.

Gift Tag: I found several cute holiday tags at the Shabby Princess. I took one of them and used my Photoshop Elements program to put the name and directions on the tag.  As much as I’d like to include the tag here, I can’t because it would be piracy based upon their terms and conditions of use. I respect that.  So, if you want the tag, you’ll have to go to the Shabby Princess and download the files for yourself. In all honesty, I think you’ll love the other stuff that comes with the download, so click and check it out! As for the ribbon, I used 1/4″ craft ribbon that was cut to about 16″ long. The picture shows that I tied the ribbon in the front of the tag, but I decided later to change it after I’d taken a picture. I folded the ribbon in half, put the loop through the tag and spice bag then put the ends into the loop. I then tied the bow on the opposite side of the jar from the tag. I liked that look better.

Spice Packet: I found 3″ x 4″ clear treat bags in the wedding section at Walmart. I put the spices in, folded the top over, taped the flap down, hole punched the middle and attached it behind the tag onto the jar.