One thing about "clean eating" seems to be true. It takes time. No, not the eating part, but everything in between. So far I have discovered it means more time planning, shopping, washing, cutting, mixing, cooking, baking, and results in more dishes! I still have a long way to go, but with time, I am pretty sure I will figure out shortcuts and how to be most efficient with my time. For now, it's one thing at a time...one recipe at a time.... and today I want to share one that has become a pantry staple and favorite... and yes, it is also "frugal."
Being that I am born and raised in the Midwest, I have way more casserole recipes than I know what to do with. Most of those recipes call for a can of cream of something soup. Up until this point I have been perfectly content with picking up a can of condensed"cream of" soup from the store, but with an ingredient list into the teens and most brands containing MSG, those days are long gone. I came across a great dry recipe mix on pinterest for cream of something soup. It's easy; you simply mix a few dry ingredience together, store it in the pantry, and heat it up with water when you are ready to use it. We have used this for multiple recipes and not only has it worked, but it has improved the taste of the dish. The best part is, according to my estimated calculations, each "can" comes in at around 40 cents verses the typical $1.20/can the store charges. Just think of how many more casseroles you can make this winter with those kinds of savings.... I mean, come on you guys, who doesn't love a warm casserole on a snowy night?
Cream of Something Mix
1 cup dry milk
3/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup boullion *
4 tbsp minced onions
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp pepper
Stir all ingredients together. Store in pantry. When ready to use mix 1/3 cup dried mix with 1 1/4 cup water. Heat until thick. Equal to one can of condensed soup.
* Make sure your bouillon is MSG free. Another option would be to use homemade chicken stock in place of the water and leave out the bouillon entirely.
