Bean and Barley Soup

A pretty jar of colored beans (and barley) is the gift of time in a bottle. After all, what’s more welcome than helping your friends out with a healthy dinner in a hurry during the busy holiday time? Beans, such as kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, and black beans, are naturally low in fat, provide protein, calcium, iron, folic acid, potassium, and contain even more fiber than many whole-grain foods. Write the simple soup preparation instructions on card stock and attach with a ribbon; you could also include a few of the soup spices in zip-top plastic bags. 

View Recipe: Bean and Barley Soup