Chili-Rice Soup Gift Mix

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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.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.