Homemade Cream of Soup Mix

2 C powdered milk
3/4 C cornstarch
1/4 C chicken, beef, vegetable bouillon granules
2 T dried onion flakes or 1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1 tsp dried basil or marjoram, crushed
1/2 tsp black or white pepper

Combine all ingredients and blend until mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year. This recipe makes 3 cups and is enough for 9 cans of soup.

To substitute for one can of condensed cream soup:
In a 1-quart saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup of soup mix and 1 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil or microwave on high for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This can also be used as a quick fat free gravy, thin to the consistency you prefer.

Variations of Homemade Cream of Soup

© 1999 Leslie Sausage

The variations are endless, use your imagination and experiment with different ingredients.

• For example, instead of thyme and basil, substitute 1-teaspoon dry mustard and 1 teaspoon dill weed.

• You might like to add up to 1/4-teaspoon garlic powder to the dry soup mix.

• For another option: add a couple of tablespoons of any dried vegetable flakes to the dry soup mix.

• Asparagus Soup--add 1 cup cooked chopped asparagus

• Broccoli Soup--add 1 cup of cooked, chopped broccoli

• Carrot Soup--add 1 cup of cooked, chopped carrots

• Celery Soup--add 1/2 cup sautéed, minced celery

• Chicken Soup--add 1/2 to 1 cup cooked, finely diced chicken

• Chicken Herb Soup--add 1/2 to 1-cup finely diced chicken plus additional herbs to your taste, parsley, oregano or marjoram

• Creamier Cream Soup--add 1 tablespoon of butter to any of the variations

• Low Sodium--substitute equivalent amount of low sodium instant bouillon

• Mushroom Soup--add 1/2 cup sautéed, finely chopped mushrooms

• Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Soup--add 1/2-cup finely chopped mushrooms plus 1 or 2 roasted garlic cloves

• Onion Soup--add 1/2 cup of sautéed, chopped onions

• Roasted Garlic Soup--add 2 or 3 roasted garlic cloves

• Tomato Potato Soup--add 1/2 cup diced cooked potato plus 1/2 cup finely diced and seeded tomato

• Tomato Soup--add 1/2 to 1 cup finely chopped and seeded tomato

• Potato Soup--add 1 or two tablespoons instant mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes or cooked diced potatoes

• Vegetable Soup--add 3/4 cup cooked mixed vegetables

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This recipe may be freely distributed with the following information:

Leslie Sausage lives with her husband in rural Texas. She is the mom of four grown children, a freelance writer, and has a degree in business administration. You are invited to visit her online for more creative, practical and fun ideas -- http://heart4home.net.