mediterranean lentil soup

this was one of the best gifts I received over the holidays, and was a gift to the giver before me. it keeps giving and giving...soup in jar

Ingredients not in a jar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
8 cups broth
Optional
3 links Italian sausage, casings removed (or 1/2 pound bulk sausage)

Ingredients in the jar
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup dried, minced onion
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon mustard powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2/3 cup lentils
1/3 cup uncooked brown rice
1/2 cup coconut powder

1. Gently warm 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil in a stockpot. If using Italian sausage, add and cook until it just turns color. Add tomatoes. Cook 5 mins on medium low.
2. Add broth and contents of jar. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cover tightly, and simmer gently on low for 1 1/2 hours.
3. Remove lid to check liquid level and rice. Adjust liquid to desired thickness. If rice isn't done, cover pot tightly again, and simmer for another 10-20 min.

Note: if the soup is allowed to cool and reheated, the brown rice texture is less chewy.

To gift this, later the jar ingredients, last in list goes first into the jar. Include the recipe and maybe the tomatoes and broth?


~Submitted by Jade and Lisa  ● serves: 8 ● prep time: 10 min      ● total time: 10 min + 1.5hrs