A Happy for a Friend....

Good Morning... I wanted to share with you today a great idea for a happy to give to a friend... Life throws us all kinds of obstacles... some good, some bad. As friends, it is great to lend a helping hand in whatever way we can... Here is a easy to make, convenient & cute gift idea!

It is a soup jar!

This one is Mexican Bean Soup. You put all the ingredients in to the jar... depending on your recipe you might have all the ingredients together or some separated.... You can then decorate the jar and add a tag with the directions on how to cook...

The little bag of beans you see here is just a little something extra that I added... I took some extra beans and wrapped them with tulle and tied with a ribbon... the little tag on it says they are "Get Well Beans"!

Ribbon, tulle, and a rosette really dress up the jar...

Here is the recipe for this soup:

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 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

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.

Type or print neatly the Cooking Directions (Below), on a small card, punch a hole in the corner, and attach 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.

This makes such a great gift! It is a dinner and it can be kept in the pantry and cooked when desired! Hope you all have a great Friday! Come back Saturday for the Love Your Pet Blog Hop!