I am always trying to come up with something thoughtful for teachers gifts since they work so hard. I also like to make things that don’t necessarily need to be eaten within a few days. They get enough of those types of gifts. A few years ago we did these Cookies in a Jar which I think went over well. Here is a Souper Valentine’s Day gift for teachers or neighbors.

This year I was looking through my Gifts in a Jar book I purchased even before I was married for ideas. Came up with bean soup with the theme of “SOUPER TEACHER”. Valentine’s Day is held in a colder month and who does not enjoy a nice cup of warm soup on a cold day.

I have also heard of people having a Souper Bowl Party and exchanging jars of soup, these would make a great party favors or you can swap mixes instead of prepared soups. These would also make great hostess gifts if you add a french loaf or a ladle.

When picking your recipe consider any dietary restrictions of your teacher, one of my child’s is a vegetarian so I purchased vegetable bullion instead of chicken.

Package the beans in a cellophane bag, I doubled them for protection, or in a cleaned out pickle or jelly jar. (If reusing a food jar, especially pickle, just be sure you put it in the dishwasher a few times!)

Make an attractive tag either on your computer, I use Avery.com and used a folding half card as a template.

I tried this one on Picnik.com  but it did not turn out the way I thought. You can not see the recipe.

Print, cut  out and staple them shut to the bag. If using a jar, you can just make a flat card shape and just tie it to the jar lid.

Back of label

Recipes to make soup mix:

Split Pea Soup in a Jar Recipe

• 1 pound of green split peas
• 1/4 cup red lentils
• 1/4 cup yellow split peas (could not find so used 1/2 cup red)
• 2 tsps salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf

Combine all ingredients and place in a sealed container.

Lentil Soup Recipe

• 2 cups dried lentils  ( I used both green and red)
• 3 chicken Bouillon cubes, crumbled
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl and place in well sealed container

Recipes to print on gift tag:

• 2 tablesppons vegeable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 lb polish sausage sliced in rounds
• or ham hock (optional)
• 1 pkg split pea soup mix
• 2 1/2 quarts of water

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 ribs of celery, chopped
• 1 pkg Lentil soup mix
• 2 quarts of water

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