Cooking with Kids: Vegetable Soup Mix

Vegetable Soup Mix

Makes 4 (2 cup) servings

Difficulty Level: Easy/Medium

Hot Soup This is a good lesson for beginners. Here you can see how to measure several large-type ingredients—and the best part is, the mix will last almost forever, so you and your family can cook again and again using your very own recipe!

Equipment: Large mixing bowl, measuring spoons, measuring cups. large spoon, plastic bag with tie—or large jar with lid.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried lentils
1 cup dried yellow split peas
1 cup barley
1/2 cup dried minced onion
1 cup dried green split peas
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups dried mixed vegetable flakes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons granulated beef bouillon
2 teaspoons dried basil

Wash and sort lentils and split peas. Let them dry thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring to distribute evenly. Store in a plastic bag or a tightly closed jar at room temperature. Makes enough soup mix for 32 cups of soup.

To Make Vegetable-Mix Soup

1-1/2 cups soup mix
4 cups water
2 cups tomato juice
Salt and pepper (yeah!) to taste

Stir together soup mix and water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat until the peas and lentils are tender, about 45 to 60 minutes. Stir in tomato juice and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.