Gifts In A Jar: Confetti Bean Soup Recipe

Savory Italian herbs spark this hearty, easy bean soup. Paired with Texas Cornbread Mix, this duo is just the thing for cold winter weekends!

Better, it's a good keeper, so make this gift-in-a-jar ahead for holiday giving. Unlike cookie jar gifts, Confetti Bean Soup won't go stale in storage.

Makes 12 gift jars at a cost approximately $2 per jar.

Includes free printable gift tag. New! Print this Confetti Bean Soup gift tag in .PDF format.

Materials and Supplies:

• 12 wide-mouth pint (2-cup) canning jars with lid and rings
• 14 pounds assorted dried peas, beans and lentils(at least 8 different varieties):

  pink beans
  black beans
  baby lima beans
  lentils
  red lentils
  black-eyed peas
  red kidney beans
  pinto beans
  split peas
  great northern beans
  small red beans
  white beans

• 12 Italian-flavor bouillon cubes
  (note: substitute beef-flavor if you cannot find Italian-flavor cubes!)
• 12 bay leaves
• 1/2 yard print cotton fabric
• 1 round (6 yards) craft ribbon
• 2 pieces cardstock (for free printable gift tags)

Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.

Layer beans in jars. Add 1/4-cup of each type of bean to the jars, layering the beans. Choose the most colorful bean for the bottom layers of the jar. Add eight 1/4-cup layers to each jar.

Place 1 bay leaf and one bouillon cube on top of the beans in each jar.

Seal each jar using lids and rings.

[Hint for FoodSaver brand vacuum sealer owners: use the jar sealing attachment to seal bean soup jars for longer storage.]

Cut twelve 7-inch circles from cotton fabric. Top each jar with fabric circle, and tie with ribbon.

Print three copies of printable gift tag. Cut gift tags apart and attach to jars with ribbon.

Makes 12 gift jars.

Recipe Instructions (include on gift tag):

Set aside bouillon cube and bay leaf and choose method to soak
beans.

Quick soak: Rinse and sort beans in a large pot. Add 6-8 cups of hot water. Bring to a rapid boil, and boil for 2 minutes.? Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain soak water and rinse beans.

Overnight soak: Rinse and sort beans in a large pot. Add 6-8 cups cold water. Let stand overnight, or at least 6 to 8 hours. Drain soak water and rinse beans.

To cook: Place beans in a large pot. Add:

6 cups water
1 can (14 oz.) chopped tomatoes in juice
bay leaf
bouillon cube

Simmer gently until beans are tender, about 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.