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NOTE: Ingredients do not contain salt, which allows recipient to salt to taste.
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Mix all dry ingredients together and pour into a sealable jar or plastic bag.
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Enclose Cooking Instructions (see below).
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Slip into a decorative celophane bag and attach a bow.
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Give as a hostess gift or add to a gift basket.
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COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.
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Add Dry Package Mix and tomatoes with green chilis.
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Stir and cook for 35-45 minutes, or until lentils and barley are tender.
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While soup is cooking, brown ground beef in a hot skillet until no longer pink, breaking up beef as you brown it.
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Pour beef into a colander and rinse under hot water.
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Drain well.
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Add to soup mixture.
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Add chili beans and continue to cook until beans are hot.
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Taste for seasonings, adding a little salt if needed.
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TO SERVE: Ladle into large bowls and serve with crackers, cornbread, or toasted sourdough bread.
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OPTIONAL GARNISHES: Top each serving with any or all of the following: grated cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped pickled jalapenos.
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VARIATIONS: (1) You can add or substitute (for the chili beans), any of the following: canned black beans, great northern beans, navy beans, kidney beans, or corn.
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You may need to add an additional cup or 2 of water.
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(2) Bulk sausage (beef or venison) can be substituted for the lean ground beef.
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NOTE: If you use plain canned tomatoes instead of tomatoes with green chilis, you will need to add a can chopped green chilies, or about 1/8-1/4 tsp.
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crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to compensate for the heat nd flavor or the tomato/green chili mixture.
