A SOUPER Valentine's Day Gift

I am always trying to come up with something thoughtful for teachers gifts since they work so hard.  I also like to make things that don't necessarily need to be eaten within a few days.  They get enough of those types of gifts.  A few years ago we did these Cookies in a Jar which I think went over well.

This year I was looking through my Gifts in a Jar book I purchased even before I was married for ideas.  Came up with bean soup with the theme of "SOUPER TEACHER".   Valentine's Day is held in a colder month and who does not enjoy a nice cup of warm soup on a cold day.

I have also heard of people having a Souper Bowl Party and exchanging jars of soup, these would make a great party favors or you can swap mixes instead of prepared soups.  These would also make great hostess gifts if you add a french loaf or a ladle.

When picking your recipe consider any dietary restrictions of your teacher, one of my child's is a vegetarian so I purchased vegetable bullion instead of chicken.

Package the beans in a cellophane bag, I doubled them for protection, or in a cleaned out pickle or jelly jar.  (If reusing a food jar, especially pickle, just be sure you put it in the dishwasher a few times!)

Make an attractive tag either on your computer, I use Avery.com and used a folding half card as a template.

I tried this one on Picnik.com  but it did not turn out the way I thought.  You can not see the recipe.

Print, cut  out and staple them shut to the bag.  If using a jar, you can just make a flat card shape and just tie it to the jar lid.

Back of label

Recipes to make soup mix:

Split Pea Soup
1 pound of green split peas
1/4 cup red lentils
1/4 cup yellow split peas (could not find so used 1/2 cup red)
2 tsps salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf

Combine all ingredients and place in a sealed container.

Lentil Soup
2 cups dried lentils  ( I used both green and red)
3 chicken Bouillon cubes, crumbled
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl and place in well sealed container


Recipes to print on gift tag:

Split Pea Soup Recipe

2 tablesppons vegeable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

3 ribs of celery, chopped

1 lb polish sausage sliced in rounds

or ham hock (optional)

1 pkg split pea soup mix

2 1/2 quarts of water

Heat the oil in a large stockpot. Add the onions, carrots, celery and meat if using. Saute intil the veggies are tender. Add the Split Pea Soup Mix and the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook over low for 2 to 3 hrs.

Lentil Soup Recipe

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 ribs of celery, chopped

1 pkg Lentil soup mix

2 quarts of water

In a large stockpop add the Split Pea Soup Mix and the water and bring to a boil. Add the veggies. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook partially covered, over low for 2 hrs until lentils are soft.