5 Legume Soup Mix with Barley is an easy and updated gift. So pretty on the counter or fill jars as a gift for loved ones and attach the recipe.
I really wanted to call this Barley and 5 Bean Soup Mix but I would, sort of, be lying. I thought it might be easier to be found.
But truth be told, it is 5 legume because there are beans, lentils and split peas along with the barley.
The mix is updated from the old 5 bean type of mixes that were done in the 60's and 70's. Fill pint jars and tie with a ribbon for a gift of love.
Attach the recipe (included below) and you are golden.
Another great option is that the mix is so pretty you can make a jug full to display until you have used it all up.
How is 5 Legume Soup Mix Good For You?
Rich in antioxidants like polyphenols. That fights the effect of free radicals that help against aging, cancer, and inflammation.
Unbelievable source of protein. Through the roof!
Fight against diabetes as it may help stabilize blood glucose levels.
Perfect nutrient dense food.
Improves gut health by increasing healthy bacteria.
The healthy starches help food cravings.
It's good for your heart as research suggests that it lowers cholesterol.
What are Some Other Food Gift in a Jar Ideas?
Something you can start to think of is pretty gift containers. Mason jars are a perfect classic gift jar. They are airtight and all you have to do is add a ribbon.
Places like World Market (one of the best) has a great variety of glass jars in all sizes, shapes, and lids.
Now for the inside - If you make homemade specialties like salsas or jams or caramel sauce are always welcome gifts.
Individually wrapped specialty candy or old-timey favorite candy life taffy is so fun!
Favorite teas with something like tiny sizes Earl Grey and English breakfast teas and a tea infuser would be well received.
Special homemade popcorn like Cranberry Caramel Popcorn needs to go in a larger airtight jar.
Brandied Cherries really sound great.
Homemade seasoning mixes such as Chili Seasoning Mix or Garam Masala Seasoning are such a great idea. Pretty too!
This gorgeous 5 Legume Soup Mix makes 8 cups. Dried. That's multiple presents and when the recipe is taken advantage of the gift turns into many more cups.
I'm kind of clear glass jar crazy. The use of them gives you extra room in the pantry when you can leave jars of dried pasta and beans out on an island or on a counter.
How to Prepare 5 Legume Soup Mix
Besides the six legume, beans, and barley mix there are three vegetables, 5 spices and more. That all adds up to a great soup.
The instructions are clearer in the recipe card but you start by soaking the beans in a large stockpot.
After draining the beans then a few of the ingredients are added and you let it cook, covered, for a while.
Take advantage of the time and sauté a couple of the vegetables. When the cook time if up add the veggies and the remaining ingredients.
Cook a little longer and then enjoy the delicious soup! Pretty easy, heh?
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Barley and 5 Legume Soup Mix
Ingredients
For the dried bean mix
- 32 ounces barley
- 32 ounces green split peas
- 16 ounces dried green lentils
- 16 ounces dried black beans
- 16 ounces dried pinto beans
- 16 ounces dried navy beans
Ingredients for the Soup (you can print these instructions to include wih a pint jar gift)
- 16 ounces barley and 5 legume soup mix - dried
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup small white onion, diced
- 1 1/4 cups carrots, chopped
- 1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Makes one large pretty jar for yourself or 8 pint jars for gifts.
- One recipe to attach to a pint gift jar.
- Empty the pint jar in a large stockpot and cover with water by two inches.
- Let set overnight, the beans will swell.
- Drain the beans and place back into the stockpot.
- Add vegetable broth and water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cover, turn down heat and cook 1 1/2 hours.
- While this is cooking:
- Heat the oil in a skillet.
- Saute the onion for 5 minutes.
- Add the carrots and cook one more minute.
- At the end of the cooking time for the beans add this sauteed mix.
- Add the tomatoes and all of the spices. Bring back to a boil then turn down to medium and cook 30 more minutes.
- Taste for seasoning with possibly a little more salt.
- Ready to serve.
Nutrition
Freeze:
This is the perfect soup to freeze, Spoon into rigid sided glass freezer safe containers.
It will store very well for 6 months.
To Prepare After Freezing:
Put in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
Heat in a saucepan that suits the size of your soup and heat to boiling. Turn down the heat and cook a few minutes then serve.
Chris
What an amazing gift idea! You've just saved Christmas for everyone! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Danielle
This looks like something that is perfect for a cold January, when you are looking for some more budget friendly meals too.
Erin
Is it okay to use quick cooking barley?
Ginny McMeans
No that wouldn't work Sara. They would turn to mush before the other legumes could get finish. You could leave out the barley from the mix and when you cook the soup it could be added towards the end, according to it's cooking time. Or cook it separately and stir in the soup near the end.
Dot
Ginny, hi. What is the serving size that the analysis is based on? I am not vegan, but love your recipe and am trying to up my protein levels. Thanks. 🙂 Dot
Ginny McMeans
Hi Dot! Well, it's based on uncooked so 1 cup uncooked is what the analysis is based on. I would think that 1 1/2 cups is probably a serving cooked so you would be getting plenty of protein in 1 serving cooked. Maybe as much as 25 grams protein.
Patricia Raymond
Good morning! I have a bunch of red 'wheat berries" (sent to me in error; I've got 5 lbs to use up). Do you suppose I might substitute for the barley in this recipe?
Ginny McMeans
Yes, you can Patricia but wheatberries absorb more liquid, sort of like rice. They also like to be cooked for a long time. To keep it a soup I would add another cup of water or broth.