This time of year I start to see more recipes popping up for dry soup mixes that can be put in jars and given as gifts.  They’re very easy and economical gifts to give.  No wonder these recipes get passed all around!

I’ve received these as gifts too, but I must admit that a few times I felt a little over my head when it came to actually making the soup.  One soup mix I received started out with rather confusing directions about cooking chicken first  (Oh, you mean the chicken’s not in here? haha).  One time I started preparing another mix only to realize it had to simmer for hours (pooey . . . I wanted to eat now!).

So here’s one of my favorite mixes that I use at home on a regular basis.  I first came across this mix at the Budget 101.com website.  What I really like about this recipe is that it’s an instant mix.  You just add a 1/2 cup of the mix to a cup of boiling water and soup’s on! It’s so handy to have a jar of this in the pantry for quick lunches.

Keep in the pantry for quick lunches



POTATO SOUP MIX
1-3/4 cups instant potato flakes
1-1/2 cups dry milk powder
2 tablespoons chicken broth powder
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt (like Lawry’s)

Combine all ingredients, mixing well to make sure everything is combined.  A quart canning jar with a screw top lid makes a good storage container.

To use:  Put a 1/2 cup of the mix in a soup bowl.  Add 1 cup boiling water and stir to mix.
(I usually just heat up my water in the microwave – see what a fast lunch this is!)

My variation:  I never have turmeric in the house so I leave that out.  I sometimes increase the white pepper to 1/2 teaspoon too, just because I’m on a real white pepper kick right now.  I add it to everything!

Other variations:  Once you’ve combined the mix with the water you can add other goodies.   I’ve put leftover corn in it for corn chowder.  I’ve also stirred in leftover ham.  You can sprinkle bacon bits on top too.

It’s also a good idea to keep some kind of label on the jar with the instructions for preparation.  Even though a tried to be a little more fancy schmancy in the picture above with my label, I usually just have a post-it note on the top of the lid saying  “1/2 cup mix to 1 cup boiling water”.

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