Crafting Your Ideal Soup Base

This time of year is full of the best food. I like to think that it's casserole season. Throw on your favorite comfy clothes and get ready to enjoy the best dishes for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and we even host a Kidsgiving every year.

I currently live in Georgia, was born in Mississippi, and grew up in Alabama. You could say that there are certain meals or dishes that scream nostalgia for me. How I ate them growing up however, wasn't the healthiest way to eat them (even if they were delicious).

Some of my all time favorite casseroles that we prepare for this time of year are broccoli casserole and green bean casserole. With leftovers, you may want to prepare a turkey pot pie, broccoli cheddar soup, ham and potato casserole...the list goes on and on.

One common ingredient found in all of these classics is typically some type of can of cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of ______ soup. I say "ingredient" but there are actually over 22 ingredients found in a can of cream of chicken, one being MSG. I know that it can be so easy to just pop open a can of this, but you can make your own for super cheap, and it tastes way better too!

I'm going to share how to craft your ideal soup base using minimal ingredients and taking very little of your time. You only need butter, flour, and broth + the spice holy grail: salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. You can incorporate some other ingredients, but they're completely optional, though they would add more flavor if you were needing a particular cream of ______ soup.

How to make your Ideal Soup Base:

Tools you may need:

• Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

• Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Whisks

Ingredients:

• 2 T Butter

• 2 T Flour

• 2 Cups Chicken Broth

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• one large onion (optional)

• 16 ounces of mushrooms (optional)

• 2 stalks of celery (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a stainless steel pan, melt butter over medium heat.

2. Once fully melted, add your flour and whisk together until combined. You will want to cook this down until flour smell has gone away and both ingredients are combined. Remember that the longer this cooks, the darker your base will be.

3. Slowly add your broth while stirring constantly.

4. Add your seasonings and that's it. Feel free to add more according to taste.

Note: If soup is not desired consistency, add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to 1/4 cup water and slowly add to soup mixture while stirring.

If you'd like to make your soup base ahead of time, store in a glass jar in the refrigerator!

For optional ingredients:

1. In a stainless steel pan, melt butter over medium heat and add chopped onion, mushrooms, or celery. (I always add a chopped onion to all of mine. The other ingredients would be specifically for a play on cream of celery or cream of mushroom).

2. Once optional ingredients are cooked, add an additional teaspoon of butter if needed, then add flour. Repeat same steps as above.

This is such an easy way to add that creaminess that so many classic recipes call for, but you know exactly what's going into your food! If you try this during the holiday season or add it to your family's cooking arsenal, let me know! Comment below or tag us on Instagram (@freerangefarmhouse).

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