Homemade Homemaking: Cream of Chicken Soup

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Welcome to this month's edition of Homemade Homemaking! Today, we're making cream of chicken soup!

When I was a newlywed 6 1/2 years ago, I barely knew how to cook. One of the first staples in my pantry became canned cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup. 


I used these creamed soups for EVERYTHING. We were living in the Deep, Deep South--where fried foods and creamy casseroles reign. I never learned to fry without burning, but we probably ate a creamed soup casserole at least every other night. 

Ingredients

When I started eating real food, I realized how bad these canned soups were for us. Not only did the cans contain BPA, but the soup was preserved with MSG and also contained soy. 


As much as we loved our creamed casseroles, I just couldn't keep buying canned creamed soups in good conscious. 

But we started missing our old comfort foods. So about a year or so ago, I set to making my own version of creamed soup. 


I use this recipe to replace canned soups in any recipes that call for them. I hope you enjoy it!


Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 Tbsp. minced celery tops OR 1/4 tsp. celery seed
• 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk 

Method

In a saucepan over medium heat, cook garlic and celery (if using) in butter until soft. Stir in flour, salt and pepper (and celery seed if using). Slowly stir in chicken broth and mlk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thickened. 

Variations:

Cream of Mushroom--toss in a handful of minced mushrooms

Cream of Broccoli--toss in a handful of minced broccoli

Cream of Celery--toss in a handful of minced celery

Stacy Makes Cents also makes a great creamed soup!

The winner for the Plum Organics giveaway is Brandi B.! I have sent Brandi an e-mail to notify her. Congrats, Brandi, and thank you to everyone who entered! 

I'm linking up to:  Works for Me Wednesday, Make Your Own Monday, Tuesdays at the Table,Real Food Wednesday, Pennywise Platter, Full Plate Thursday, Frugal Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food,Frugally Sustainable, Made at Home Monday, Kitchen Tip Tuesday @Good Cheap Eats, Deep Roots at Home, Homemakers Challenge