Homemade Casserole Soup Mix / CM

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CASSEROLE SOUP MIX 
This recipe for homemade soup mix can be used in place of canned condensed soups such as cream of mushroom, cream of celery or cream of chicken called for in many casserole recipes.

Extra flavor and quality can be had by substituting low sodium soup base for chicken bouillon when the soup is reconstituted. This will allow for additional variations, such as using beef or vegetable flavorings instead of the chicken flavoring of the basic soup mix. Soup base is a concentrated and condensed soup stock available at restaurant supply stores and by mail order.

Corn starch may be replaced with modified food starch or potato starch, which has less of a tendency to lump and often has the ability to thicken cold liquids.

Adjust the seasonings to taste; we prefer smaller amounts of thyme and basil and we add a pinch of garlic and onion (powder or fresh). Of course, if you have a blender and fresh fruits available, fresh vegetable puree can be added.

Basic Casserole Soup Mix:

2 c. non-fat dry milk crystals
3/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. Instant chicken bouillon
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed (optional)
1 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1 tsp. pepper
butter

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To use a substitute for one 10-1/2 ounce can condensed soup, mix 1/3 cup of dry mix with 1-1/4 cup water in saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened. Add 1 tablespoon butter, if desired. butter adds 11.5 grams of fat.

Cooks Tip: We prefer to use low-sodium bouillon powder which we feel has extra flavor and less sodium in the bargain.

Yield: Enough mix to substitute 9 cans condensed soup.

Comparison of commercial condensed soup and homemade substitute:

Source: Iowa State University.

Optional Additions:

Enhancements to the basic mix should be added at the last minute when making up the soup for your casserole.

Dehydrated vegetable powders may be kept on hand to flavor the basic soup mix; mushroom powder for mushroom soup, celery powder for celery soup, tomato powder for tomato soup, etc. Adding these extras to enhance the soup is entirely optional, and the flavorings should not be added to the basic soup mix, but may be added when making the soup up for your recipe, if desired. You can make your own mushroom powder by processing dehydrated mushrooms in the food processor. The same can be done to make vegetable powder. Keep these in an airtight container, separate from the mix until ready to use, since they will absorb moisture from the air readily.

Low sodium soup base is available at most restaurant supply stores and online in chicken, beef and vegetable flavors.

Submitted by: CM

recipe reviews
Casserole Soup Mix
   #190471
 Linda Gray (Delaware) says:
This recipe for homemade soup mix is easy to make and is a great alternative to canned condensed soups. I love that I can adjust the seasonings to my liking. The basic soup mix stores well so it's always on hand when I need it.
   #187601
 Michel (Wisconsin) says:
I make a slightly different version of this due to allergies. The main difference is I skip the dehydrated veggies and use real. If I want cream of celery I chop up celery, cook until soft, and mix. If I am making cream of mushroom, I dump a can in the blender with the water in the can. Make a paste and use how much I want in the recipe for mushroom flavor. I will often use the whole 4 oz. because it adds a bit of richness.
 #138832
 Santiago (Iowa) says:
I have used this recipe for years and recently mixed it with broth to make a creamy gravy. Turned out good with the chicken.
 #131974
 Sheri Daniels (Oregon) says:
I would also add to the pan some room tempature cream cheese or non fat cream cheese for a creamier sauce!
 #29387
 Haley cook (Alabama) says:
That looks good!
 #28498
 Beth (South Carolina) says:
Is non-fat dry milk crystals the same as instant or non-instant dry milk? (I always have non-instant dry milk on hand...is that ok?)
 #29463
 Cooks.com replies:
Hi Beth,

Any kind of non-fat dry (or even dry whole milk) may be used for this recipe. If you use dry whole milk it won't keep as long as non-fat dry milk.

Hope this helps!

-- CM
 #28089
 CynCyn (United States) says:
I was excited by this recipe until I found out the price for mushroom powder. Can you give an approximate amount of how much powder you use?
 #28110
 Cooks.com replies:
Hi Cyncyn,

I would add the mushroom powder when I make up the soup (at the last minute). You can use, as Italians say, "just enough" to make the soup taste as you like it.

If you prefer, you can make your own mushroom powder by processing dehydrated mushrooms in a food processor. It's important that they be perfectly dry, so if you've had them stored in a container that isn't airtight, put them in the oven for 20 minutes or so at 200-225°F. They will absorb moisture rapidly, so its best to vacuum pack, if possible.

You can also make your own vegetable powder by processing dehydrated vegetables in the same way.

-- CM
 #28420
 Jim (Pennsylvania) replies:
I tried it with dehydrated mushrooms and it came out great - thanks for the tip!
   #72999
 Melody Lema (California) replies:
I actually make my own mushroom powder. I take mushrooms, slice them very thin, and dry in my dehydrator. If you don't have one, dry in a very sunny window, after using cheese cloth to protect the mushrooms from bugs and things, or use your oven on very, very, very low. If you use your oven, cut the mushrooms thicker, but not to thick. I had to come up with something because my family does not like mushrooms, but have you ever heard of pasta sauce without mushrooms? By powdering them, they never saw them. I did this with onions, celery, and everything else they didn't like. Plus we had limited money for my cooking methods, and I was a foodie before the word was invented! LOL. Happy cooking!

 

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