Name: Wild Rice and Barley Soup Mix
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon ground celery seed; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 cup medium pearl barley; 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes; 1 tablespoon dried celery flakes; 1 tablespoon dried chives; 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules; 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice; 1/2 cup dried minced onion; ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:; 8 cups water; Optional: Bacon bits and torn basil leaves

Let loved ones warm up on frosty nights with this hearty, stick-to-the-ribs soup. Layered in pretty bow-tied jars, the mix looks just as good as the soup tastes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground celery seed

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup medium pearl barley

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1 tablespoon dried celery flakes

1 tablespoon dried chives

3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice

1/2 cup dried minced onion

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

8 cups water

Optional: Bacon bits and torn basil leaves

Instructions

1 In a small bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. In a pint-size jar with a tight-fitting lid, layer the barley, parsley flakes, celery flakes, chives, brown sugar mixture, bouillon granules, rice and onion, packing each layer tightly (do not mix). Cover and store in a cool, dry place for up to 4 months. Yield: 1 batch.

2 To prepare soup: Pour mix into a large saucepan. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until rice is tender. Sprinkle with bacon bits and basil leaves if desired.