Back when we started trying to eat healthier (read: less processed foods) I began trying to make most things from scratch. I quit buying granola bars, breads, buns, canned soups, etc. One of the things I have missed is a quick addition of some cream of chicken, or cream of mushroom soup. However, the canned version has a lot of uneccesary ingredients, including the ever popular soy byproducts. Here is a list of the ingredients in Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup:
INGREDIENTS
WATER, MUSHROOMS, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, COTTONSEED, CANOLA, AND/OR SOYBEAN), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, DEHYDRATED CREAM (CREAM [MILK], SOY LECITHIN), YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVORING, DEHYDRATED GARLIC.
I really don't have any idea why most of that is in there, but we choose to stay away from most forms of canola, corn and soybean oil as most (up to 80%) produced in the U.S. contain GMO (Genetically Modified Organisims)
SIDE NOTE: What are GMO's and why are they bad? CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO A DETAILED EXPLANATION ON CONSUMER REPORTS WEBSITE.
How common are GMOs?
In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. (http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/)
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? (also from Consumer Reports)
You may be surprised to know that the federal government has not mandated that genetically modified organisms be proved safe before they're used in your food. But safety assessments are mandatory in other major developed countries, including China, Japan, and the countries of the European Union. Some animal studies suggest that GMOs may cause damage to the immune system, liver, and kidneys.
One last link...http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs
Off my soapbox now and on to the recipe...
My friend (the same one who told me about homemade toothpaste) has used this basic recipe and shared it with me. It was a winner! When made this recipe can be frozen in 2 cup portions and then added whenever there is a need for processed cream of mushroom soup. I am so very happy now because it is DELICIOUS!
4-6 cups chopped mushrooms
1 chopped onion
3-4 T real butter
Garlic powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
3-4 cups heavy whipping cream (Aldi for $1.98)
2-4 T flour (white or wheat)
1-2 cups chicken broth (homemade chicken stock recipe here)
INGREDIENTS
WATER, MUSHROOMS, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, COTTONSEED, CANOLA, AND/OR SOYBEAN), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, DEHYDRATED CREAM (CREAM [MILK], SOY LECITHIN), YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVORING, DEHYDRATED GARLIC.
I really don't have any idea why most of that is in there, but we choose to stay away from most forms of canola, corn and soybean oil as most (up to 80%) produced in the U.S. contain GMO (Genetically Modified Organisims)
SIDE NOTE: What are GMO's and why are they bad? CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO A DETAILED EXPLANATION ON CONSUMER REPORTS WEBSITE.
How common are GMOs?
In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. (http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/)
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? (also from Consumer Reports)
You may be surprised to know that the federal government has not mandated that genetically modified organisms be proved safe before they're used in your food. But safety assessments are mandatory in other major developed countries, including China, Japan, and the countries of the European Union. Some animal studies suggest that GMOs may cause damage to the immune system, liver, and kidneys.
One last link...http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs
Off my soapbox now and on to the recipe...
My friend (the same one who told me about homemade toothpaste) has used this basic recipe and shared it with me. It was a winner! When made this recipe can be frozen in 2 cup portions and then added whenever there is a need for processed cream of mushroom soup. I am so very happy now because it is DELICIOUS!
4-6 cups chopped mushrooms
1 chopped onion
3-4 T real butter
Garlic powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
3-4 cups heavy whipping cream (Aldi for $1.98)
2-4 T flour (white or wheat)
1-2 cups chicken broth (homemade chicken stock recipe here)
I first bought a large batch of portabella mushrooms from Costco ($4.99 for 2lbs). I chopped the mushrooms and onions and sauteed in the butter also adding the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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After the mushrooms and onions were significantly cooked I made a bit of a roux by slowly adding in my flour as a thickener. Afterwards I began to slowly add the chicken broth. Though the original recipe called for 3 cups of broth, I found that made the soup too watery so I believe I dialed it down to 1 1/2 cups. After sauteeing for a bit you then stir in the flour (I used a whisk) and then add cream....yum! I ended up with 6 bags of portioned out 2 cup servings to freeze.
I believe my total cost was $4.99 for the mushrooms, $1.89 x 2 for the creamer and the chicken broth was homemade stock I had in the freezer so out of pocket the cost was $8.47 divided by the 6 "can's worth" of frozen cream of mushroom soup making each serving cost $1.40. This is a bit higher than the .99 that Campbells Cream of Mushroom costs but I have to say it tastes soooo much better. I also feel better about using it.
I believe my total cost was $4.99 for the mushrooms, $1.89 x 2 for the creamer and the chicken broth was homemade stock I had in the freezer so out of pocket the cost was $8.47 divided by the 6 "can's worth" of frozen cream of mushroom soup making each serving cost $1.40. This is a bit higher than the .99 that Campbells Cream of Mushroom costs but I have to say it tastes soooo much better. I also feel better about using it.
