Dozen Bean Pot Soup Mix

2 1/4 cups lentils
2 1/4 cups baby limas
2 1/4 cups regular limas
2 1/4 cups black-eyed peas
2 1/4 cups kidney beans
2 1/4 cups split peas
2 1/4 cups great northern beans
2 1/4 cups pinto beans
2 1/4 cups red beans
2 1/4 cups white beans
2 1/4 cups navy beans
2 1/4 cups black beans
2 1/4 cups barley
15 chile pods

Combine all beans in a HUGE bowl or pot. Mix with hands. Fill 2-cup decorative containers with dry bean mixture. Attach Dozen Bean Pot Soup recipe. Tie top of container with raffia.

Dozen Bean Pot Soup

Wash bean mixture. In a 3 1/2-quart kettle, combine beans and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Add more water if necessary. Add all remaining ingredients except sherry. Bring to a slow boil and simmer, covered, until beans are tender, about 3 hours.

Just before serving, remove bay leaf and stir in sherry. Garnish each serving with chopped scallions.

Serve with sourdough bread.

This makes 15 (2-cup) gift packages.