Meaty Beef Soup

I got the original recipe from a "Gift Jar" book, but I modified it just a little. You can still layer the dry ingredients and enclose a seasoning packet if you want to give as a gift. This fits in a 1 pint wide mouth jar if you're gifting.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 2 quarts

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup  uncooked long grain brown rice
• 1⁄3 cup  dried split green peas
• 1⁄3 cup  uncooked pearl barley
• 1⁄3 cup dried lentils

• Seasonings

• 3  tablespoons  dried onion flakes
• 1  tablespoon dried celery flakes
• 2  tablespoons beef bouillon granules or 9  bouillon cubes
• 2  teaspoons  soul seasoning
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon instant minced garlic or 1⁄2 teaspoon  fresh minced garlic
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  large bay leaf

• Fresh Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs  stew meat
• 2  tablespoons  oil
• 8  cups water
• 1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained

Directions

1. If gifting, layer the rice, then the green peas, then the barley, then the lentils. Mix dry seasonings and enclose in a plastic bag at the top of the jar. The recipient will need to add the fresh ingredients when they make it.
2. Begin by browning the stew meat in the oil. Place the brown rice, green peas, barley and lentils in a colander and rinse. Transfer to a soup pot. Add 6 cups of water and the seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir in tomatoes and 2 cups of water. Heat thoroughly and serve. Goes very well with homemade bread! Enjoy!