Gluten-free Dairy-free Cream of Chicken Soup

Cream of chicken soup seems to be a pantry staple at our house during the winter months. With cold weather setting in I decided it was time to find a way to make a cream of chicken soup that my whole family - one without gluten or dairy. Here is what worked best for us.

Ingredients:

2 cups chicken broth + 1/2 cup (divided)

2 cups rice milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp parsley flakes

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

6 TBSP corn starch

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1. In a large saucepan bring mix together the first 2 cups chicken broth, rice milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a very low boil.

2. In a separate dish whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and 6 TBSP corn starch.

3. Slowly pour the corn starch mixture into the broth mixture adding only a little at a time and whisking continuously. Watch carefully as it thickens, you may not need all of the corn starch.

4. Continue low boil while frequently whisking until the soup has thickened. It won't take long.

Remove from heat and let cool. 

I froze mine in quart size freezer bags, putting about 2 cups of soup in each bag. Use this for casseroles, roasts, pork chops - anything that would take canned cream of chicken soup.

Homemade Taco seasoning

Here is a simple and tasty taco seasoning recipe - free from additives found in packaged taco mixes.

6 teaspoons chili powder
5 teaspoons paprika
4 1/2 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons onion powder
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In storage container with tight fitting lid, combine all ingredients; mix well. Seal tightly. Store in cool, dry place for up to 6 months. 

*This recipe makes a lot more than this, pictured is what is left after a few dinners :-)

Seven teaspoons of mix equal a 1.25 ounce pkg. of purchased taco-seasoning mix.

*Source

Easy Homemade Baby Wipes

I just love our homemade baby wipes. Jojo gets diaper rash from regular wipes; even the sensitive kind.

You will need:

1 roll VIVA paper towels (they are the most cloth-like), cut in half

2 Tbsp  baby oil

  1/2 Tbsp baby wash

2 drops Tea tree oil

1-1/2 cup boiled water

an air tight container to store them in

First, boil 1and 1/2 cup of water. This will kill anything that might end up growing on your wipes.

While the water is boiling cut the roll of paper towels in half. I have found that a ceramic knife works best for this. I got mine at IKEA for $40 and I love it. If you don't have one, a good chef's knife will do, but it was much harder for me to cut that way.

I pull out the cardboard center so it won't waste any of the mixture.

Once the water has boiled for a few minutes, remove from heat and add 2 tbsp baby oil, 1/2 tbsp baby wash and 2 drops tea tree oil. Mix lightly.

Put the half roll of paper towels in the container (save the other half for the next batch) and slowly pour the mixture over the top. Cover immediately to trap the steam in the container.

The wipes are ready when they have cooled.

These are soft, sturdy, and inexpensive.

The tea tree oil can be a little expensive ($7) but it will last a long time since you are only using 2 drops. The tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant and will keep your wipes from growing mold. It also gives them a nice fresh scent.

These work great as homemade Boogie wipes too. For bad colds I omit the soap and add one packet of sinus rinse.

*Reposted from my other blog:
http://www.bygracealone.net/2011/03/homemade-baby-wipes.html

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