Creamy Tomato Soup Mix

It's Mix Monday and I wanted to share a cool new recipe I've been working on for creamy tomato soup mix. Especially since it's soup season and there just seems to be some magical draw to the kitchen and hearth of the home this time of year. Wind is blowing outside, but a warm simmering pot of tender loving care is bubbling. It makes a person miss their grandma...and long for days past. The problem I had in the past when making tomato soup mix, was well...the tomato. I no doubt had access to profuse numbers of the little lovelies from the farm and Organic Tomato Farming, but the process of going from a tomato to the dry powder included peeling, seeding, dehydrating, and milling. It was a big investment of time. But, I'm happy to report that you don't have to do all that.

I was so excited to find dehydrated Tomato Powde,r, for now I can make creamy tomato soup mix! That is most exciting because this soup mix can also double as a sauce for pasta if you add basil and Italian seasonings. Adding dry tortellini and Freeze Dried Spinach and you have the makings for a hearty Italian dinner soup. We add corn, potatoes and chunks of turkey for a creamy tomato and turkey soup. It's just an excellent flavor base. The addition of baking soda is a must. The soda neutralizes the acid in the tomato, keeping the milk from curdling. Omitting the soda would be a mistake. That's all I'm saying.

Chef Tess' Creamy Tomato Soup mix:
1/2 cup flour (or 1/4 cup cornstarch or UltraGel )
1 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1/2 cup tomato powder
1 bay leaf
1T dehydrated onion
1/4 tsp celery seed
2 tsp granulated garlic
2tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pepper
2tsp thyme
2T MSG free bullion (optional) (omit previous salt if you use bullion)

I keep this mix in jars sealed and labeled for a quick dinner anytime of the year. They keep fresh up to a year (for best flavor) so please be sure to label and date clearly.

To prepare: combine soup mix with 6 cups water (for a richer cream soup, use milk) and whisk until combined over medium heat. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Add any flavor variations you like...
2 cups chopped broccoli or cauliflower, potatoes, corn, carrots, chicken, clams, crumbled bacon. If you want a cheese soup, be sure it gets added only at the very end after soup is off the heat or it will be grainy.

There you go! Make some Creamy Tomato Soup.

Always My Very Best,
Your Friend Chef Tess