In a pot, mix contents of package with 7 cups water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer on medium low for 25 to 30 minutes until tender.  Stir occasionally.  Can also reduce water by 1/2 cup and cook in slow cooker on high heat for 2 hours. Serves 6.

Ingredients: dried vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, green peppers, leeks, red peppers, parsley), chopped onion, m.s.g.-free beef stock (sugars (glucose solids), salt, onion powder, caramel colour (sulphites), beef broth, beef fat, natural flavor (milk), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate.), m.s.g.-free chicken stock (salt, dextrose, corn flour, chicken fat (includes rosemary extract), dehydrated cane molasses (includes color), onions, garlic, spices, sugar, corn syrup solids, artificial colour including tartrazine, flavour (includes celery)), lentils (green, brown, and red), brown rice, black rice, green split peas, yellow split pidgeon peas, garlic.

Mix contents of package with 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise (not whipped dressing). Let chill one hour. Low fat version: Use 1 cup fat-free sour cream and 1/4 cup regular mayonnaise. This reduces entire prepared batch by 58g of fat. Also try: Spread in sandwiches to spice them up nicely. Ingredients: cayenne powder, minced onion, salt, garlic.

Mix contents of package with 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise (not whipped dressing), and 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese. Let chill one hour. Low fat version: Use 1 cup fat-free sour cream, 1/4 cup regular mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese. This reduces entire prepared batch by 58g of fat. Also try: Easy chicken caesar salad: add cooked, chopped chicken breast and croutons to salad. Mix in prepared dip to taste. Ingredients: garlic powder, salt, lemon pepper (salt, spices, citric acid, sugar, onion, vegetable oil, garlic, lemon peel, colour flavour), sugar.

Mix contents of package with 2 cups of diced fresh tomatoes (drain liquid) and 2 tsp. olive oil. Let chill one hour. Ingredients: onions, oregano, basil, salt, garlic, citric acid, black pepper.

Mix contents of package with 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise (not whipped dressing). Let chill one hour. Low fat version: Use 1 cup fat-free sour cream and 1/4 cup regular mayonnaise. This reduces entire prepared batch by 58g of fat. Also try: On baked potatoes and perogies. Ingredients: onions, textured soy flour, soybean oil, salt, natural smoke flavour, sugar, hydrolyzed soy protein, yeast, dextrose, caramel colour, iron, niacinamide, lecithin, natural flavour, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B12