New Year's Day Chili Mix in a Basket

1 (16 ounce) package dried kidney beans
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
2 teaspoons beef-flavored bouillon granules
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 small bay leaf
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 small basket

Place beans in an airtight plastic bag; set aside.

Combine instant minced onion and next 3 ingredients; place in a small airtight plastic bag and, if desired, in a decorative paper bag, and label "Flavoring Packet."

Combine chili powder and oregano, ground red pepper and bay leaf; place in a small airtight plastic bag and, if desired, in a decorative paper bag, and label "Seasoning Packet."

Place the bag of beans, flavoring packet, seasoning packet, and the two cans in a small basket. Attach a pretty ribbon and a gift tag with the following instructions:

New Year's Day Chili:

Packet of beans
Flavoring packet
7 cups water
1 pound ground beef
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
Seasoning packet

Sort and wash beans; place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water and let soak for 8 hours.

Drain beans. Combine beans, flavoring packet and water in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour stirring occasionally.

Stir in ground beef, cooked and drained, tomato sauce, tomato paste and seasoning packet. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaf.

Yield: 11 cups