Even with coupons, condensed soup is way overpriced for what you’re actually getting. I stopped buying condensed soup years ago. I found a way to make condensed soup that is almost as easy as opening a can, less expensive, healthier and MUCH tastier.
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Step 1: Freeze your Bechamel (white sauce) base. This makes so much sense that when I heard it years ago I think I actually smacked my forehead with the palm of my hand for not thinking of it myself. Take 1 C softened butter and mix with 1 C flour. Beat with mixer until combined. Use a 1 T cookie scoop to scoop mixture onto cookie sheet (these can be close together). Freeze for 1-2 hours. This process is called “flash freezing” and is done so that when you put the butter blobs (technical term) into a zip-top freezer bag they won’t stick together (at least not much). So, after a couple of hours, transfer the blobs into the zip-top freezer bag!
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Step 2: When you are ready to make your condensed soup, take 1-3 blobs (depending on how thick you want the soup) out of the bag and put them into a saucepan. Once they melt down and start getting bubbly (this is called a roux), add 1 C liquid (see list below) slowly, whisking over medium heat until liquid thickens.
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Flavors:
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Cream of chicken – I make this the most often. For the liquid sometimes I use milk and just add 1 teaspoon of bouillon and sometimes I use 1/2 milk and half chicken stock (homemade is best!!). You can also add a pinch or so of poultry seasoning. If you use chicken stock, you may want to add a little salt & pepper.
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Tomato – For the liquid use tomato sauce. You can add onion and/or garlic if you want. You may also want to add a pinch of sugar to cut the acid.
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Cream of Mushroom – Use half milk and half mushroom stock. (Homemade is easy – google it!) You can then sautee some mushrooms in butter and chop them up and add to the soup. You can just use all milk and add in the sauteed mushrooms, but the mushroom stock definitely gives it a richer flavor.
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Cream of Celery – Use milk as the liquid. Add sauteed celery (best if sauteed with a little onion).

Print this Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage .55/1 coupon quickly, before it disappears!  I haven’t seen this coupon, valid on one item, in a long time.  Should make for a great deal at stores that double coupons!  Remember, you can print each coupon twice.

Summer time brings an abundance of lemonade stands on neighborhood street corners run by ambitious children looking to earn a few dollars. The site of children waving poster board, jumping around trying to get neighbors to drop a few quarters always brings a smile to my face as personal childhood memories come to mind.

When you think of lemons you may think of warmer climates here in the United States like California, Arizona or Florida. But did you know that lemons originated in China? Lemonade was a favorite drink of the Chinese Emperors before it became such a popular summer time beverage. Lemons were brought to the United States by Catholic missionaries who planted them in California and Arizona. Now the United States produces about one third of the worlds lemons.

There are many used for lemons. They are used to flavor food, to garnish plates and for a variety of household purposes. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your lemons.

How to Store Lemons:

Lemons will keep at room temperature for about two weeks. Store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to six weeks. Or to get the most out of your produce dollar you can freeze them.

Freeze lemons by washing and drying them well. Cut them into quarters and place on a cookie sheet. set in the freezer until frozen. Remove them from the cookie sheet and store in a freezer bag taking them out as needed. Do not freeze lemons whole as they will turn mushy. You can also freeze the juice in ice cube trays if you prefer not to save the whole lemon.

Additional uses for lemons:

Here are a few ideas for using lemons.

You can add a twist of lemon to water in ice cube trays before freezing to add a little extra zip to beverages.

Combine lemon and salt to treat rust or clean copper.

If your having trouble getting whipping cream to stiffen add a few drops of lemon juice.

Remove funky odors like fish or onions from containers or the fridge by rubbing them down with a fresh lemon .

Tip:

To get the most lemon juice out of a fresh lemon, place it in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Then roll it firmly on the counter before cutting it open.

Just a quick reminder about the fabulous party we will be having tonight!  Come join us to learn more about THRIVE foods!  (And, yes, there will be fabulous food to eat!)  .

Rachel, one of our Thrive Reps will be sharing lots of fun food storage ideas, door prizes and giveaways, and you will get to sample the wonderful variety of Thrive long-term food storage products.

Even better?
You will get the lowest prices available on all Shelf Reliance products by attending the party!  That includes THRIVE, Food rotation systems, and their entire line of emergency supplies!  This is pricing that cannot be found online!

You will also learn just how you can join our team of Shelf Reliance consultants and earn income and free food while working from home! We are looking for reps across the nation to help us spread the word about this great product!

This event will be TONIGHT, May 23rd at 6:30 pm at the Hyde Park City building at 113 E. Center in Hyde Park.

RSVP to thrive@pinchingyourpennies.com