Southwestern Three Bean and Barley Soup

This recipe makes a nice soup-in-a-jar mix that we gave out to our neighbors this year. It is also inexpensive, easy, and tasty anytime! For making the mix-in-a-jar, just layer the following ingredients in this order:

5 tsp. chicken bouillon granules*

2 Tbs. dry minced onion**

2 tsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 Tbs. dehydrated carrots**

1/2 c. dried black beans

1/2 c. pearl barley

1/2 c. dried kidney beans

1/2 c. dried great northern beans

To prepare, just add water! In a slow-cooker combine above ingredients with 7 cups water. Cover and cook until beans are tender, about 4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.

*May substitute 5 c. chicken broth for the bouillon, just decrease water to 2 cups.

**May substitute fresh chopped vegetables (celery would be good too) but don't add until the last 1-2 hours of cooking.