Cream of 'Whatever' Soup

I (as many of you) try to pinch pennies whenever possible, without losing quality.  I also love to use my crock pot...especially on days that I babysit.  Several of my crock pot recipes call of a can of cream soup.  While browsing Pinterest I found a recipe for a dry cream soup mix.  I have actually been planning to try it for awhile...but am just now getting around to it.  What can I say...life happens! The original recipe can be found 'here'.  There is also a second dry soup mix recipe I have pinned that I want to try when this one runs out.  I did make a couple minimal changes to the recipe!

You will need a container (that will seal well) to store your dry mix in.  I chose a large glass jar.  I also used a Sharpie marker to write the recipe and directions on my jar.  (If I need to use the jar for something else a little acetone will wipe that marker right off!)

The recipe is:
1 c. Non-fat dried milk
3/4 c. Cornstarch
1/4 c. Bullion
4 T. Dried Minced Onion
1 t. Basil
1/2 t. Thyme
1/2 t. Parsley
1 t. Pepper

I did learn something very new when making this recipe.  It may be something you all know, but it was new to me and I was excited! It truly is the little things that make me happy!  I did not know that you could buy bullion powder!  I have only ever purchased bullion in cubes.  This stuff is amazing!  I can use just a couple teaspoons when I make rice!  I love it!  If you don't want to purchase this item, you can crush up some cubes.  Although the bullion powder was very reasonably priced!

Also, I didn't have any minced onion, so I used Onion powder and it worked great! If I have something in my cabinet/pantry that will work I don't buy new!


To use the dry mix you add 1/3 c dry mix and 1/2 c water.  Then microwave for 30 seconds (or until it starts to thicken.  Just be careful, if you cook in longer increments it may get too thick, so check it often until you find the right time for your microwave!

Let me know what you think!!

DIY Microwave Popcorn

I don't know about ya'll, but I LOVE popcorn!! The more butter and salt the better!  (Not better for you....but it sure does taste good!)  Last night I decided I would like some popcorn...but, I didn't have any microwave popcorn.  I do have an air popper, but I was being lazy and didn't feel like pulling it out.  So, I decided to try the DIY microwave popcorn I had seen on Pinterest!  It was good!  I did learn a couple things to make it better next time though!

The tutorials I read each said to put 1/4 c. popcorn kernels in a glass bowl.  I used the 1.5 quart, and it was much too small...  I would probably use my largest glass mixing bowl.  It also said to put a ceramic plate on top...that was no problem, unless you don't have one big enough for your bowl.

The tutorials also said to pop the popcorn about 3 minutes...that was not long enough for mine.  I'm sure all microwaves are different though and the time will vary from person to person.  I let mine go for about 4 minutes and my popcorn kernels were not all popped.  However, my bowl was full!

The healthiest way to eat the popcorn would be plain...but, I don't always go for the healthiest (even though I do try to usually).  I like to melt a chunk of real butter in a bowl with some olive oil and drizzle the mixture over the popped popcorn and then add some salt!

My snack was absolutely delicious!!  Let me know if you try it and if you like it!!