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!!

Taco Seasoning - Home made!

 

I am all about making things myself, as opposed to buying them.  They are usually better than what you can buy in the store, and also much cheaper!  It is my goal to spend as little money as possible - We are working very hard to have everything paid off and to get ahead on the house - it doesn't happen overnight, but I figure every penny helps!!

 

 

This week I made my own taco seasoning - I used a recipe from Pinterest (Taco Seasoning).  However, as I usually do, I adapted it a little.  I also quadrupled the recipe!

 

The recipe, as I made it, is as follows:

 

4 Tb Chili Powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder (plus a little extra shake or two - I like garlic)

1 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper

2 tsp Paprika

6 tsp Ground Cumin

4 tsp Salt

4 tsp Black Pepper

 

 

I placed all ingredients directly into my jar that I would be storing the mix in.  I also used an old lid from a Parmesan Cheese jar - also a tip from Pinterest!!!  After all the ingredients are in the jar, screw on the lid, and shake shake shake!! :)   

 

As I made tacos I just season to taste.... 

  

So far, it seams to be a big hit!! - Enjoy!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 2

I am all about doing things that can save money!  I also love to do things 'home-made'.  I don't go as far as some do, but I do try to do as much as I can to make my own products and do it the cheap way! I also have always been a huge fan of dishwashers!!  As I would help my Mom with dishes at home I always told her that when I got my own house I only wanted 'dishwasher safe' items.  While, not every item in my kitchen now is dishwasher safe, the majority of my items are! Because I love to cook, and try to make everything I can from scratch, I generally mess up quite a few dishes when I go to cook dinner. Therefore, I run my dishwasher every couple days at least (and I'm sure that will increase as we have children!).  Dishwasher tabs are quite expensive and that expense was just not fitting into my weekly Wal-Mart grocery and household needs budget.  So, a friend of mine had tried making dishwasher detergent from a recipe found on Pinterest and they truly liked it!  Well, I got on Pinterest and found quite a few recipes for dishwasher detergent.  Some made huge batches, some made small batches, some required lemon Kool-Aid (which would stain your dishwasher after a few uses).  After ready many many recipes, I finally found one I wanted to try!  So, I mixed up a batch and of course, just happened to have a dishwasher full of dirty dishes to try it on!  I have to say, I like it!!    Below is a picture of my detergent and the recipe I used to make it!  I also used vinegar as the rinsing agent (in that little spot in the dishwasher door!).  Good Luck and enjoy!!

2 cups of Borax

2 cups of Baking Soda
 4 tablespoons of citric acid--can be found near canning items
White Vinegar

Mix everything together by either dumping into a big bowl and stirring it really well or dumping it into a container with a lid and shaking it up. You can keep it in your lidded container or re-use your old detergent box, or a jar.

I use about 1 1/2 tablespoons per load. (3/4 tablespoon in the open cup and 3/4 in the closed locking cup)  I have heard that if you have hard water, you can adjust the amount of Borax, or add salt to the detergent mixture

Recipe from: http://frugallygreen.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-make-your-own-dishwasher.html