Mexican Bean Soup Mix in a Jar

[auntieemu]

Mexican Bean Soup Mix in a Jar

3/4 cup each dried pinto and red kidney beans

Flavor Packet

2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup small-cut pasta

Put beans in a 1-quart jar with lid. Put flavor packet ingredients in a sandwich-size plastic bag. Seal bag with tie or ribbon. Do the same with the rice and pasta. Place in jar with beans.

Seal, decorate with ribbon and fabric, attach following recipe with a ribbon to the jar:

Mexican Bean Soup

Rinse and pick over beans. Put into a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit 1 hour.

Drain beans and return to pot. Add 8 cups water and contents of flavor packet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour or until beans are firm-tender (time will vary depending on age of beans). Stir in rice and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Uncover, stir in pasta and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.