Make it homemade

HOMEMADE CREAM SOUP DRY MIX

Using a quart jar, combine and whisk well:

2 cups instant non-fat dry milk mix
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Store in your pantry or a cool, dry place; airtight.

This recipe will yield 3 cups dry mix or 9 cans of creamed soup reconstituted.

TO MAKE THIS SOUP (RECONSTITUTE):
Combine 1/3 cup dry mix and 1 1/4 cups water. Heat over medium heat until thickened.

VARIATIONS:
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP: Add chopped sauteed mushrooms.
CREAM OF CELERY SOUP: Add chopped sauteed celery.
CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP: Add chopped sauteed or steamed broccoli florets.


You can also make HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX

HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX #1

1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
1 cup dried onion

Whisk onion powder, salt and sugar in small bowl. Drizzle Kitchen Bouquet over mix; stir until this mix is uniformly brown. Add dried onion and continue to mix until uniformly brown - this will take a bit of time.

Transfer to jar with tight-fitting lid. THIS MIX MUST BE STORED IN THE REFRIGERATOR! Stir before each use.

This recipe will yield 1 cup of Onion Soup Mix which is equivalent to two 1/5-ounce envelopes of dried soup mix.



HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX #2

2 cups instant non-fat dry milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup beef bouillon granules
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Store in an airtight container in your pantry. Stir before each use.

To use (reconstitute) combine 1/3 cup dry mix with 1 1/2 cups water. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened.


HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX #3

3/4 cup instant minced onion
1/3 cup beef-flavored bouillon granules
1 tablespoon PLUS 1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seed, crushed
1/4 teaspoon sugar - optional

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Store in an airtight container in your pantry. Stir before each use.

Five tablespoons of this mix equals one 1.25-ounce package of store-bought dry soup mix.



While you are at it - we can all use a nice browning sauce - whether it is for gravies or any other recipes. This will also thicken gravies.

HOMEMADE KITCHEN BOUQUET

1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups water

Place brown sugar in heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat and allow it to parch (just about burn)stirring slowly the whole time. When the brown sugar turns a dark brown, add water; stir well.

Store in tightly covered glass jar or bottle. Use as you would Kitchen Bouquet or Gravy Master.

source: http://www.oldfashionedhomecooking.net/2010/01/make-your-own-dry-cream-soup-mix.html

I was really excited to find the Kitchen Bouquet, this is a super cheap and simple recipe. I like to use it when I am making gravy that looks too milky. I had no idea all it was is brown sugar and water. I am going to save my bottle and make a small batch of this to refill it.