Our most popular post ever… Soup in a Jar

We’ve made it… it’s the final week before Christmas.  If you’re like me, you’re done-ish with Christmas shopping, and you’re close to being done-ish with your wrapping.  The kids are amped up:  there are team parties, dance studio parties, preschool parties, and family parties. And you, my friend… you need an easy dinner.

And guess what.  If you make a bunch of these this weekend, you’ve got gifts for co-workers, new moms, overwhelmed moms, college students, stay-at-home dads, grandmas.  You’ll be super popular.  You’re welcome.

Here’s the how-to:

Line up a bunch of ½ pint mason jars on your kitchen counter.  Then layer in the dry ingredients.  That’s it.  You could tie a little plaid ribbon around the jar or something like that.  Heck, you could tie a cute vintage spoon with it.  I just thought of that, how cute would that be?!  When you or the recipient of these cute little jars are ready to cook, just add a can of diced tomatoes, 1 lb of cooked meat (I prefer sausage, of course), and 6 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and have a Cool Yule.

Soup in a Jar

Ingredients:

1/4 cup split peas

1/8 cup chicken bullion

1/8 cup pearl barley

1/4 cup dry lentils (I used pretty red, but any color will do)

1/8 cup onion flakes

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/4 cup white rice

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes

6 cups water

1/2  – 1 lb cooked meat (I used Hillshire Farms sausage for extra flavor but I bet chicken would be delicious, too.)

Directions:

1. If making jars ahead of time, layer all dry ingredients in half-pint mason jar.
2. When ready to cook, combine all ingredients in a stock pot.  Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Enjoy!