Generic soups cost about 48c a packet, up to around $1.10 for a branded soup, so not overly expensive. My concern with the packet soups is the ingredients. Read the packet - it's full of numbers and odd ingredients.
A while ago, so I could cross another item off the grocery list, I started looking for a MOO for packet French onion soup. After a few tweaks of the ones that seemed closest to what I think of as French onion soup this is what I finished with. It has the colour of a packet soup, but tastes so much better. It's not as salty as the commercial product other than the onion powder is fairly straight forward ingredients-wise, nothing artificial.
MOO French Onion Soup Mix
Ingredients:3/4 cup dried onion flakes
3 tsp parsley flakes
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Method:
Combine the parsley flakes, onion powder, turmeric, celery seed, salt and pepper and use a mortar and pestle or a spice (or coffee) grinder to make a fine powder. Add the onion flakes and stir (or shake) well to combine. Use 4 tablespoons of the mixture to replace one packet of commercial French onion soup mix.
This mixture keeps well for about six months in an air-tight container before it starts to lose it's potency. After six months it's still good to use, just not quite as fresh and therefore it won't be as aromatic and flavourful as the fresh mix. It's still good though, don't throw it out! Actually it makes a lovely mild dip or sauce when it's a little on the "old" side.
I use my own dried herbs (onion and parsley) when I have them. If I don't have any dried on hand I use dried onion and parsley I buy in the large bottles from Costco.
And the dip I made - a cup of plain yoghurt (MOO of course) mixed with 2 tablespoons of the soup mix and chilled in the fridge. It goes very well with pita chips, celery sticks and carrot straws.
Hi Cath. Have you costed this recipe ?
ReplyDeleteQuick calculation in my head is approximately $2.10 if you have to use bought onion flakes, parsley and spices.
DeleteIf you use your own dried onion flakes and parsley it costs around 60 cents.
Depending on the FOSM you normally buy it will either be roughly the same price (generic) or a whole lot cheaper (brand name).
Either way you know exactly what's in it and know it's fresh.