Bean Chili Holiday Gift

Preparation

• 1
  Preparation of Gift Basket:
  
• 2
  In a 6 cup glass mason jar, carefully add beans in layers starting with red kidney beans and ending with pinto beans.
  
• 3
  Place unwrapped bouillon cubes on pinto beans and cover with dried mushrooms.
  
• 4
  Close lid and secure over mushrooms.
  
• 5
  In a clear bag or sachet, layer black pepper, parsley and minced onion. Secure bag to jar with ribbon.
  
• 6
  Arrange in a gift basket with two cans of diced tomatoes, a baguette and wedge of parmesan cheese.
  
• 7
  Preparation of Bean Chili Meal (Cooking Instructions):
  
• 8
  Remove dehydrated mushrooms and bouillon cubes from top of jar.
  
• 9
  Empty all of the beans, peas and lentils into a large cooking pot and cover with water to a level 2 inches over the beans.
  
• 10
  Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, skim and discard foam. Set aside for 2 to 3 hours.
  
• 11
  Once beans have hydrated and softened, drain and rinse them. Add 10 cups of water, bouillon cubes, seasonings, mushrooms and tomatoes.
  
• 12
  Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 to 2 hours until beans are tender. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if desired.
  
• 13
  Split the baguette, shred the cheese. Cover baguette halves with cheese, melt cheese on the baguette in a hot oven and serve with remaining cheese to garnish chili.