HOMEMADE CREAM SOUP DRY MIX, HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX, HOMEMADE KITCHEN BOUQUET & HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER SEASONING MIX!

HOMEMADE CREAM SOUP DRY MIX

It just takes a minute or two to whip this up; store tightly in your pantry and you'll be all set.

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.

How many times have you purchased a box of Hamburger Helper to help you save time in the kitchen? Do you have a larger family and one box just doesn’t do much for you?

Save your money and eat healthier!

HAMBURGER HELPER SEASONING MIX

In bowl, combine and whisk well:
1 1/4 teaspoons black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/3 cup instant onion
3 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 2/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3 1/2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules

Transfer to jar with tight-fitting lid; label, date. Mark on the label that ½ cup of mix is used for each 1-pound of ground meat.


Hamburger Helper Seasoning Mix
1 lb. ground beef
½ cup Hamburger Helper Seasoning Mix
1 - 2 cups noodles or macaroni

In large skillet, brown ground beef; add dry mix, 1 to 2 cups hot water and noodles. Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer; cover; and cook until noodles/macaroni is tender - about 20 minutes.

NOTE: The amount of water and noodles/macaroni you use will depend on how much you are making.

Cheeseburger Skillet #1
Prepare as above adding 2 cups grated cheese of choice before serving.

Cheeseburger Skillet #2
Prepare as above, add 1 can (14 - 16 oz.) chopped tomatoes. Add grated cheese before serving.

Stroganoff
Add an additional ½ teaspoon dry onion and ½ teaspoon celery salt to dry mix; stir in ½ cup mushrooms (fresh of canned). AFTER noodles have cooked, stir in ¼ cup sour cream; serve immediately.

Chili
Add 1 tablespoon chili powder to dry mix and 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes.

Pizza-Style
Use wheel-shaped pasta; add 1 can tomato sauce and 2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning.

Skillet Lasagna
Add 1 onion (chopped) while browning beef. Add 1 can (16 oz.) tomato sauce, 3 cups lasagna noodles (broken into bits), and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese. When done, remove from heat and top with grated mozzarella.

For a nice variation: Substitute 2 to 3 cups very thin sliced potatoes for the noodles. Simmer until potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer until liquid has evaporated.


NOTE: If Hamburger Helper is something you use often, double or triple (or more) the seasoning mix.

TIMESAVER: Big Batch cooking - cook more than 1 pound of beef at a time. When done, drain, spread on baking sheet and place in refrigerator to cool completely. Package in freezer bags in 1-pound packages, forcing out the air and “flattening” the package of meat. Freeze. When ready to use, remove a package from the freezer and if working all day - place in the refrigerator to thaw a bit. If not, just place in a hot skillet to re-heat and continue cooking as usual
Hints from Mama