Dried soup mixes are an appropriate gift for many occassions.
Soups from a dry mix aren't anything new. Homemakers have been adding dried beans or lentils to broth with a few onions and other seasonings for hundreds of years. Dried soup mixes for chicken noodle soup make a quick lunch. Since most dried soups only require the addition of water, they make a different kind of gift for cooks and noncooks alike. Package them with a soup ladle, cooking pot or even kitchen dish towels to complete the gift.
Party Pack
Turn the dried soup mixes into an instant party. French onion soup transforms sour cream into a dip. Vegetable soup mix combined with mayonnaise and a can of chopped drained water chestnuts spreads on slices of sourdough bread for a quick appetizer. If you add a package of frozen spinach and some chopped scallions you have spinach dip. Put the soup mixes into a basket with colorful napkins and an assortment of potato, vegetable and corn chips, pretzels and a loaf of bread. If your budget allows it, include a set of dip bowls and a platter.
Quick
Package a selection of dried soup mixes that don't take more than 45 minutes to simmer. Vegetarian lentil combines red, green and yellow lentils with dried seasonings and vegetables. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes and the soup is done. Gourmet potato, plain or with garlic and bacon only requires the addition of boiling water and the soup is ready within a few minutes. Use whole milk or half whole milk and cream for a richer tasting soup. Dried mushroom soup is ready in 30 minutes. Present the selection of quick soups with a soup tureen and ladle with matching bowls.
Slow Cooked
Black bean soup, chili, ham and bean soup require either soaking the beans overnight or parboiling the beans. Cooking time is at least an hour and sometimes up to two hours. The wait, however, is worth it. After the beans have been soaked or parboiled they can be cooked in a slow-cooker so make that part of your gift as well. If that's too expensive, then combine the soup with accompaniments. For example, give the black bean soup with a jar of salsa and a cornbread mix, and a set of muffin tins.
Homemade
Package your own homemade dried soup mixes as a gift. Combine dried split peas, onions, herbs and chicken bouillon cubes for split pea soup. If you have a dehydrator it takes only a day to dry vegetables. Slice carrots, onions, celery and green peppers to dry and combine with herbs and rice. Add in vegetable broth cubes for a vegetarian soup. Package by layering the ingredients in glass jars.
Tags: soup mixes, bean soup, dried soup, dried soup mixes, Dried soup