Instructions: Store precooked ingredients at room temperature; keeps indefinitely.

Put beans into a 3- to 4 cup jar with tight-fitting lid. Put Flavor Packet ingredients into a sandwich-size plastic bag or pouch made of plastic wrap. Seal or tie with ribbon. Add to peas or tie onto jar.

Cooking directions (attach to gift): Rinse and pick over beans. Put into a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot with 4 cups water. Cover, bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and let soak 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans. Return to pot. Add 8 cups water and contents of Flavor Packet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 2 1/2 hours or until beans are firm-tender. Uncover, increase heat to medium-low and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soup thickens slightly. To thicken more, mash some beans against the side of pot. Serve with lemon slices.

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