Beef Chili Soup Mix in a Jar

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried red kidney beans
• 1/2 cup dried navy beans
• 1/2 cup dried black beans
• 1/3 cup dried minced onions
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons dried cilantro or parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic

Instructions

1. Layer the ingredients in a 1-pint jar.
2. Close jar securely; decorate top with cloth and ribbon.
3. Attach the following recipe to the jar:

Beef Chili Soup

In a Dutch oven, brown 2 pounds ground beef; drain. Add ingredients from the jar, + 6 cups water; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender.

Add 3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans tomato juice. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. You may substitute 2 pounds of boneless beef chuck. Brown half of the meat in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; remove meat and brown other half of meat. Drain off the oil and proceed with above directions.

Yield: 8 servings