Maria Nasir
A healthy and delicious mixed lentil soup is a one pot meal and its very easy to pack the dry ingredients as an edible gift in a jar. You can add different combinations of lentils and dry spices to suit the taste of your friends and loved ones. I like to attach a little card with ingredients list and cooking instructions …it makes it easier for the recipient to figure out what to do with your gift and shows how much you care!
For Mixed Lentils Soup :
For a jar with 3+1/2 cups capacity
1 cup split chickpea lentils ( chana daal)
1 cup red lentils ( masoor daal)
1 cup yellow lentils ( mung daal)
4 dried red chillies
2 bay leaves
2 black cardamoms
1 stick cinnamon
1+1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
This Is What You Do :
Add split chickpea lentils to the clean, sterilised jar, add dried red chillies and cinnamon stick. Layer red lentils, bay leaves and black cardamoms. Next layer yellow mung lentils. Wrap the ground spices and salt in a tiny parcel of plastic wrap or tin foil, place on top of yellow lentils. Seal the jar and decorate the lid using craft paper, festive fabric and ribbons.
Cooking Instructions for Mixed Lentils Soup :
Rinse the lentils. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a deep pan, add the ground spices from the little parcel and stir for a few seconds. Add cardamoms, dry red chillies, bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Add lentils and 6-7 cups water or chicken/vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook till the lentils are really tender and creamy. Add more water if too thick to achieve desired consistency, check for seasoning.
Squeeze a lemon and garnish with fresh herbs of your choice.
8 servings
For more Edible Gifts in Jar ideas check out these links
http://www.foodaholic.biz/garam-masala-dry-spice-mix-edible-gifts-in-jars/