Friendship soup - In a jar

1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef boullion granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rie or
1/2 cup alphabet macaroni or other small macaroni(Iused the alphabet macaroni)
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:
1 LB. GROUND BEEF
3 QUARTS WATER
1 CAN (28 OZ) DICED TOMATOES, UNDRAINED

In 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the first eight ingredients in the order listed. Seal tightly. Yield: 1 batch

To prepare soup: Carefully remove macaroni from top of jar and set aside. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown beef: drain. add the water, tomatoes and soup mix: bring to a boil. reduce heat: cover and simmer for 45 min. Add the reserved macaroni: Cover and simmer for 15-20 min. or until macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender.
YIELD" 16 servings (4 qt per batch) I didn't get 16 servings - guess we ate too much!!!
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS: One 1-cup serving, (prepared with low sodium boullion and lean ground beef)165 calories, 106 mg. sodium, 19 mg. cholesterol, 21 gm carbohydrate, 12 gm protein, 4 gm fat. Diabetic exchanges" 1 1/2 starch, 1 meat

We really enjoyed this soup. It does make a lot and freezes well. Hope you enjoy this.