Lentil Soup Mix {and a Menu}

So, continuing on with the November filled with gift ideas, here’s one of my favorites for teachers and neighbors…Lentil Soup Mix, accompanied by Beer Bread Mix.Lentil-Soup-ChaosServedDail

The mixes are simple to assemble, and very economical. And who doesn’t like being thrifty AND clever, especially during the holidays?  Before we get on with it, I have a note about the chicken bouillion granules. You can leave that out and use the modified directions for making the final soup. I like to make it without, for a couple of reasons. First, your recipient might be a vegetarian, and secondly, it’s hard to find bouillion without MSG in it, and that gives me migraines. So I hesitate to include it, if it’s not MSG free.

Anyway, enough babbling. I put the seasoning in a snack size ziptop bag and put the 2 cups of lentils in a quart size freezer bag. Then the two fit perfectly in a takeout box container, or a cute lunch-size gift bag. You could even squeeze them into a pint size Mason jar. I’d probably cut the lentils to 1-3/4 cups, to make room for the seasoning. Bread-and-Soup-ChaosServedD

LENTIL SOUP MIX

  • 2 cups dried lentils
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried lemon peel
  • 1 bay leaf

Place lentils in a resealable plastic bag.
In a small bowl, combine chicken bouillon, onion powder, cumin, celery salt, salt, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, lemon peel, and bay leaf. Transfer seasoning mixture to a small cellophane bag. Give with serving instructions. Yield: about 3 tablespoons seasoning mix

To serve: Rinse lentils. In a Dutch oven, cover lentils with 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium low.  Stirring occasionally, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until lentils are barely tender. Stir in seasoning mix. Cover and simmer 30 minutes longer or until lentils are tender. Serve warm. Yield: about 7 cups soup

Optional:  Saute 1 chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1 cup diced carrots, and/or 1 diced red bell pepper in 1 Tbsp olive oil in Dutch oven before adding lentils and water.

Click here for printable preparation labels for the soup mix made with bouillion

Click here for printable preparation labels for the soup mix made without bouillion

BEER BREAD MIX

  • 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning(optional)

In a bowl, mix the self-rising flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Place in ziptop or cellophane bag. Give with baking directions.

Preparation Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place bread mix in a large bowl.  Add 12 oz beer (or seltzer water) and mix just until moistened. Transfer to a greased loaf pan. Top with the 3 Tbsp melted butter. Bake 45 to 55 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Click here for printable instruction labels for beer bread

And here’s the week’s menu:

  • Monday: Lentil Soup with Beer Bread (made with hard cider)
  • Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers (from Costco), Steamed Mixed Vegetables, and Waldorf Salad
  • Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken and Rice with Cucumbers sprinkled with Soy Sauce and Sesame Seeds
  • Thursday:  Simple Lasagna (from the freezer) and Chopped Vegetable Salad
  • Friday: Chicken and Butternut Squash Tagine with Quinoa and Fresh Veggies with Yogurt Dip

For the Teriyaki Chicken, I just put some chicken breasts and a package of frozen peppers and onions in the crockpot, add a homemade teriyaki sauce, and cook it all day.

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About Megan

My various hats: mom to three crazy teens and one quirky dog, wife of 27 years to my retired GI Joe, and high school math teacher. After my husband's retirement from the Army, we've settled in the Pacific Northwest. Crafting, cooking, photography, and reading keep me sane (that's a relative term!) and I hope you'll enjoy following along as I navigate the chaos of life!
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2 Responses to Lentil Soup Mix {and a Menu}

  1. Elizabeth says:

    I love the beer bread. Is that the same as your mom’s recipe?

    • Megan says:

      I do, too, Elizabeth! The Pub Bread isn’t the same, though…it’s a yeast bread and I rarely think of making it in time for dinner, unless I plan it into my day! I’ve made this beer bread on a pizza stone, like focaccia, and it takes even less time!

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