Confetti Bean Soup, another Make-Ahead Gift From the Kitchen, is probably a catch-all name for a dry bean soup. You know the one. It includes a variety of dry beans with a variety of seasonings. It may or may not contain any meat — at my house that may depend upon what’s leftover. Any way you want to stir this one up, though, it’s a welcomed meal on those cold, wintry days. That makes this Make-Ahead Gift From the Kitchen of Confetti Bean Soup a perfect one to share with family and friends.
Talk about easy. And inexpensive.
Probably the most expensive part of the gift is the wide-mouth canning jar you’ll probably want package it in. You could, of course, use a decorative bag, but part of the beauty of this gift comes from the layers of color and texture that are created as you package the ingredients. So, it’s not only about the tasty but the pretty as well, ya’ know.
Remember to try these Make-Ahead Gifts as well:
Chai Tea Mix
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Slow Cooker Confetti Bean Soup:
When I prepare this soup, I do so in my slow cooker. I rinse the beans, put them into the crock of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker, add at least 5 cups water (usually enough to cover and allow for expansion of the beans), and the seasoning packet. Let the beans cook on HIGH 5-6 hours or until tender but not mushy. Add in the tomatoes and smoked sausage or smoked ham; continue to cook an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check seasonings and serve.
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Basic Supplies:
- quart wide-mouth canning jars with lids and rings
- snack sized zipper plastic bags
- decorating supplies
- soup and seasoning mix supplies
Make-Ahead Gifts From the Kitchen {Confetti Bean Soup}
Notes
Easily prepared in a slow cooker as well.
Ingredients
Jar Ingredients:
- 1 pound dry pinto beans
- 1 pound dry navy or Great Northern beans
- 1 pound dry small red beans
- 1 pound dry green split peas
- 1 pound dry black beans
Seasoning bag per jar:
- 2 Tablespoons dried onion
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 3 Tablespoons dried chives
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or sage
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 package ham flavored concentrate (Goya), optional
For preparation:
- 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- leftover smoked ham or sausage, optional
Instructions
Seasoning bags:
- This should make approximately 5 quarts of confetti bean soup mix. Place seasoning ingredients in 5 separate snack-sized zipper bags. Seal and set aside.
Bean layers:
- Layer equal portions of the beans in each of the quart jars. I like to alternate dark and light colors as much as I can. The exact portions aren't especially important.
- Place the seasoning packets on top of the beans, seal and decorate.
- Be sure to include a decorative label and the soup recipe,
For the soup:
- Rinse the beans from 1 quart of mix under running water; discard any stones or shriveled beans.
- In a large Dutch oven over high heat bring 9 cups of water and the beans to boiling; cook approximately 3-5 minutes. Cover and let stand 1 hour.
- Drain and rinse the beans and return them to the Dutch oven.
- Add the contents of the seasoning packet along with 5 cups of water; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer approximately 1 ½ hours until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomatoes with their liquid and leftover smoked sausage or ham (optional); bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Discard bay leaf before serving.
