Hi there and welcome to Home Base! It's good to be back to share another great dish with you. Hope you had a nice holiday season. Ours was  busy and somewhat chaotic at times. Fighting  viruses on (and off) the computer has been quite challenging over this past month as well. 

I discovered another twist  to an all time favorite comfort food recently and thought I'd share it.  I was trying to make a quick dinner one night but wanted to "bump up" the dish in some way. I checked out my pantry items and started grabbing what sounded good at the moment. Once assembled and served we were pleasantly surprised and very satisfied. This is the way a lot of my  dishes come to be. I make a certain choice as my "base" and then use what I have at home already to whip it into something  REALLY good! 

I chose to start my base this time with Macaroni & Cheese, an all time favorite comfort food. We don't eat it often but when we do, I want it to have that  tasty creamy cheesy touch that makes you go "Mmmmm"  when you take that first bite as well as the last. I made this dish  a little different than your normal way and discovered that with a few additions this meal turned out downright delicious! 

So go ahead and make a  copy of this recipe and give it a try the next time you are serving mac and cheese...

             BUMPED UP MAC AND CHEESE

Serves 6 / Make on top of stove (& some microwave use too)

1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can of  1/2 & 1/2 ( use can from soup)
1 bunch of fresh asparagus  cleaned and cut in chunks
1 small container of grape tomatoes - cut tomatoes in half so they don't burst
1 can of artichoke hearts - drained,rinsed well,and cut each in half 
6 cloves of garlic sliced thin
1 small onion halved and sliced thin
1/2 stick butter
2 TBLSP olive oil 
1/2 bag noodles- your preference -cooked
Asiago cheese - shredded
 
 

In a microwave safe bowl  put in enough water to cook noodles. Add  noodles and  bring  to a boil then let sit covered  for 10- 15 minutes to absorb  proper amount of water to be cooked just past al dente.
Meanwhile, in medium sized saucepan / pot melt butter with olive oil,  add onions and  garlic and saute` until onions are translucent.  Add asparagus and tomatoes and artichokes hearts and heat through thoroughly.  Add cheddar cheese soup and 1/2 and 1/2 to the veggie mixture and  stir  gently until combined and bring  just to boiling. Do not bring to a hard boil! Turn off heat.
Drain noodles and  put a serving onto plate, cover noodles with cheesy veggie sauce and then top with some shredded Asiago chese.

This meal is so tasty, serves 6 easily, and is a nice change of pace.  If you are looking for a meatless meal or side for your meal, this is a great choice.  It is easy to adjust to your tastes because you can choose the veggies you prefer and can even put it over rice  or other noodle  choices- there are so many types to choose from. Adding seasonings you like can enhance this dish too. I was just trying to get a quick meal on the table so I went light and didn't  try to embellish too much,but I am sure there could be several choices in every area you can be creative in using and it is such an easy base with the noodle  & soup  combination that I don't believe it could mess up!

So there you have it! Good luck and let me know if you try it, and if you like it, and if you chose to  do yours in a different way and how it turned out for you!

Today's Home Base Tip : I am sensitive to a lot of  chemicals  so I try to  use as little as possible in my everyday lifestyle. I  was searching the web one day and found this  solution on many websites for  an all purpose, sanitizing cleaner. I am so glad I tried it and  decided to share it  with you..

1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup alcohol
1/2 tsp dish soap
10n drops essential oil (I used lavendar)

Combine all into a spray  bottle and spray surface , wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. I used it on my linoleum floors, countertops, all door knobs ,handles on appliances and the appliances themselves. It cleaned easily, was very effective and made my home smell way better!I was very impressed and can say it will be a keeper for my home. In my quest  to find a good , sanitizing, as natural as possible cleaner, I believe this  was a great choice. try it out and tell me what you think. I  would not suggest using it on wood. ( If you want to try that so it in an inconspicuous place first to see if it changes your wood).

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".  Romans 15:13                          
Have a blessed day, appreciate all you have and what you can do. 

Hi there and welcome to my blog, if you are a first timer  be sure to check out my earlier posts as well and if you are returning ...thanks so much for the attention,I sure do appreciate it. My blog is designed to give you a chance to become creative in the kitchen using a simple base  and then  once you have tried it you can elaborate with your own additions or variations. Don't be discouraged if you bomb it, just try again and you'll get it.I have  had plenty of my attempts go awry - that is why when something turns out especially good I like to share it with you all!

Today I want to share a Home Base that showcases a couple of items useful in different dishes.They are versatile,easily accessible and add the spark to foods with amazing flavor when used together.  Trying to jazz up meals can be trying during the holiday season with all the holiday comfort foods we tend to bring out at this time of the year.  These delectable dishes savored for approximately two maybe three months tend to make a regular meal pale in comparison.When you have a "normal" dinner night during the holiday season changing it up with just  a touch or two of different ingredients can make your meal a little more  festive!

 I use extra virgin olive oil in many of my dishes. Its flavor enhances food to a level that makes you glad you used it. Besides, it's healthy for you!
Basil has a flavor that bursts onto your taste buds with a delightful tang, just remember to use it sparingly  as you go because it can be quite pungent. The addition of lime just pulls this combination together giving it a tropical / mediterranean touch to your dish. So with that in mind...let's get started!


                                         Basil - Lime Based Meal
In our house we like the fish Tilapia and tend to eat it frequently.  I bake it most of the time. It's mild flavor  can be accented in so many ways and when you eat it as often as we do i need to be creative so it doesn't become boring. I  recently made a dinner incorporating a simple salad, roasted veggies and tilapia using basil and lime throughout and it was satisfying, tasty and the recipe was put into our monthly rotation. (I don't want to overuse it -so if I go monthly with it - it will be welcomed at the table).

I started with a simple salad of shredded iceberg lettuce and thin sliced tomatoes.I sprinkled about a Tablespoon of dried  basil  over it and then squeezed the juice of one lime over all and mixed it up just enough to let it begin marinating. The lime juice made the  lettuce wilt some but it remained crunchy. I then added some cheese chunks and right before serving it I drizzled extra virgin olive oil on it, mixed together again and that was it!

ROASTED BASIL VEGGIES
3 Potatoes  -  chunked
3 Carrots  -  chunked
1 Package of Brussel Sprouts  - cleaned with flat ends trimmed off
1/2 stick of Butter
2 TBSP  of Olive oil
1 TBSP Basil, Garlic Salt,Pepper
Water - enough to cover bottom only of pan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 9" x 13" pan set olive oil, butter and chunked veggies, cover with the basil and seasonings add water and cover with tin foil or use a lid if using an oven safe container with a lid.  Set into preheated oven. *

BAKED BASIL LIME FISH
2 TBSP - Olive Oil
1 TBSP - Basil ( I use dried) but fresh is good too
1 Lime - sliced thin - use all of it ( I used the lime I had juiced for the salad)
2 Tilapia filets ( or choose your preference)
1 TBSP of  seafood seasoning

On a baking sheet lined with tin foil drizzle 1 TBSP of  the olive oil; place lime slices on the  oil; place filets on the lime slices and then  sprinkle the basil, seafood seasoning, and remaining TBSP of olive oil over the fish. Set in oven  and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the fish is opague  and flakes easily.

* At this time you would need to stir the roasted veggies ( they should be about halfway done).

I couldn't provide a clear enough picture of the salad but here is a photo of the  veggies and fish:

 There are so many variants you can use. Go ahead and change up the veggies and fish selections to what you prefer. You could also try grilling,sauteing,or broiling them and they will taste awesome I am sure!

As you become a creative person in the kitchen remember - there will be fails when you try your ideas. Do not be discouraged. These things happen, unfortunately the biggest loss may be the price of what you paid for the food you used.
My fails over the past few weeks were not total losses but I did realize my errors and will try not to do them again. One fail I had to laugh about was when I made a butter cake, poked holes in it and then poured pumpkin pudding & pie spice ( Jell-o brand) over the top.  I was too slow in pouring the filling over the cake, the pudding set up too fast and it settled on top of the cake like a frosting and didn't  slide down the poked holes! HA-HA-HA!! I should have poured it immediately after it was mixed, instead my end result was a cake that broke up when cut because of all the holes I poked into it and when I served it the pudding on top was  SO heavy that every pieced tipped onto its side...every time!! HAHAHAH! BUT....it was sooo tasty good!!!!

Home Base Tip: During this holiday season keep in mind those less fortunate than yourself. Generally, the truly poor, homeless or jobless, or a new mom may come to mind. There are others as well that may need your attention such as those who for whatever reason cannot leave their home or are in a  nursing home or rehabilitation center.They may only need an hour of your time occasionally to sit and chat or do some housework or decorate their space with some holiday cheer. It may make the difference of feeling lonely  and out of touch to feeling cared about and special even if it is only for a short time.  Do it once a week and then...make it your New Year resolution!

"In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good".  Hebrews 10:24

Have a wonderful holiday season - there are many holidays  to celebrate throughout this time of year! Enjoy what you can! Make your Home Base all it can be ...See you soon!!

Personal Blog

I realize I have neglected Home Base for some time. I was attending to issues that needed my attention.Thanks for stopping by to see what's going on today. If you are a first time viewer - welcome and enjoy your stay!!! 

I know that since I started Home Base I have posted mostly soup recipes. Today will be no different only because this is my favorite and most requested and well liked soup.I couldn't post a photo this time because  it did not last long enough for me to snap one and when I finally did remember, it was truly all gone.

Several months ago my hubby started bringing home large amounts of  canned clams in every form home. Having never cooked with clams before I was caught in a slight dilemma with what to do with this growing pantry item. I started surfing  the web and came across vast amounts of differing clam chowder recipes. Well, one thing led to another and I ended up making my own recipe with what I had on hand and what would work for us.Anyone that has eaten it says it's the BEST soup they've EVER had. (I have documentation!) Ha Ha!
Anyways, if you would like to give it a try, set about a two hour block aside to make this -  give or take a few minutes from start to finish. Good food takes  time to establish and this is even better on the second day  if you can get it to last that long. Patience  in getting it  completed is well worth the wait, so give it a try and send me your feedback once you've  made it. I am always open to critiques and suggestions to creating my dishes. My instructions are simple and easy to follow, so with this in mind, let's get started!

          Best Ever Clam Chowder - New England Style

1 whole head  - Garlic , chopped or minced
1/4 cup              Olive oil
1 stick                Butter
3 stalks               Celery, chopped
1 large                Onion, chopped
2 large                Carrots,chopped
1 can                   Baby clams, reserve juice, rinse clams
2 cans                 Minced clams, reserve juice, rinse clams
6 large                Potatoes,baked,  skins removed, (smash 4 of these & chunk the remaining 2)
1 container          16 ozs. Half & Half
8 ozs.                  Water
1 small bag          Frozen corn
1/2 cup               White wine - your preferance
2 TBLSP each     Parsley, salt, pepper, Old Bay seasoning,poultry seasoning,and chicken soup base

Bake potatoes in microwave and set aside to cool, remove  jackets when warm to touch. Smash 4 of these potatoes and set aside, chunk the rest and set aside.
While the potatoes are  cooking melt butter with olive oil in soup pot.
Add celery, onions, garlic, and carrots. Be sure to chop vegetables in same size to ensure all cook thoroughly. Sweat them until onions are translucent.
Add reserved clam juice and water, bring to a boil; add smashed potatoes, 1/2 and1/2 and rinsed clams. Bring to a boil and add seasonings, corn,and potato chunks. Bring this to a hard boil for about 10 minutes stirring  often to keep all from  settling to the bottom.
Turn heat to  medium -low, add  wine and simmer for about 15 minutes to  combine flavors.
 I usually  let the soup rest on low  for a little to cool down and meld flavors together.
Serve with crusty bread or rolls or oyster crackers.

Take the time to enjoy cooking your food.For many years I just routinely did what a recipe called for to get the desired effect.Over the past year or so, I have started appreciating the whole process from creating the idea and recipe to the end result and am grateful for all the different dishes I have created. Too often our lives tend to become so mired in everyday bustle that we begin to settle for mediocrity in areas we should have more respect for. We should be thinking sincerely about what we are doing to and for ourselves with what is offered to nourish us. So many times I have consciously considered what I have available and how to make it palatable, and, when it was served I have been rewarded with empty plates and compliments.

I am beginning to think the best ingredient I am serving is love.Love for wanting to serve good tasting, healthy, bountiful food. Love of sharing my successes (and fails) so you can give them a try as well. Love of seeing my family and friends enjoy my offerings and encouraging me to push myself to be more creative in all I do.I am feeling the love! Ha Ha! I have learned to enjoy the time it takes to create;to enjoy the creation; to enjoy the lasting effects - satisfaction and nourishment, the want for just " a little more", the knowledge "I can do it", respect for appreciation.
This is my Home Base for this edition. Love and Respect and Appreciation in all you do. It is worth it in your end result.

Thanks for letting me share with you today. If you try this great chowder please give me your feedback using the comments post below, I'd love to hear  from you and will respect your opinion and appreciate your input.

Today's Tip: Nourish your heart with love, nourish your mind with appreciation, nourish your self  & others with respect, nourish your life with confidence in all you do,and nourish your soul with faith.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.  Psalm 145 : 15-16

Home Base, the all purpose site to help keep you grounded in more ways than one!  If you  are returning to view my site Thank You! If this is your first visit - welcome and I hope Home Base  can give you some useful ways to  build your lifestyle into a stable and healthy outlook. I discovered a couple years ago that I truly love to cook, so I have been indulging in creating tasty  dishes from my cozy little kitchen.

I offer a base recipe with each edition of Home Base. Each base I provide you gives you some foundation to build your own base recipe for your own home style tastes. My recipes may sometimes seem complex but, if you incorporate them into your home life it will become second nature  and easy to establish.. My premise is to keep it as simple as possible. 

None of my dishes ever are exact replicas of  the original dish except I always begin with  the same base ingredients of the original and build on it with whatever  I have  available at the moment.  That is why when you use my base recipe you tailor it to your own tastes preferences and pantry  items. I provide the base and you provide your home made  creation. Even if you don't think you're creative, if you " add in"  your own selections  and you like it then you are discovering success!  Should you bomb it - don't feel bad ( except maybe for the loss of  the food product used). Believe me...some of my attempts are atrocious but it teaches me  what works and what doesn't  so it is not a total loss!
Please feel free to share your wins or fails with the bases you try - all input is appreciated!

This edition  of Home Base has landed just after this years Harvest Moon time. For those unsure of what  a harvest moon is - it is the first full moon  after the autumnal season begins.  Farmers used to bring in the season's crops extending the  workday by using the full moon's light. 

I make  a LOT of different soups and I finally have created this one using my garden veggies that I have been harvesting  lately. I have  tried several  times to  make a decent Tomato soup but every time I tried it felt like I missed something  and just wasn't satisfied in getting it right. This time it was a Base hit! (Yes, I DO love Baseball too).
This home base recipe is my Garden Harvest Soup. It proved to be a winner in my home because it went so fast I didn't even get a chance to freeze any for  another time!  So with that in mind - let's get started!

Home Base Garden Harvest Tomato-Potato Soup
12 servings minimum

4 TBSP              Olive Oil
6 - 8                   Whole Tomatoes  - cut in half
4                         Green Peppers  - cut in quarters
2                         Onions - cut in quarters
1                         Head of garlic -  stem ends trimmed 
6                         Potatoes - cut in bite-sized cubes
2 ears                 Corn on cob - corn  removed (or 1 cup of frozen corn)
2 TBSP              Worcestershire sauce
2 TBSP  each    All Purpose Seasoning ( see edition 2)
                           Rosemary
                           Thyme
                           Oregano
8 -10 cups        Hot water

Preheat oven  to 400 degrees.  In Large soup pot  put your olive oil and tomatoes,peppers, onions and garlic; put this in your preheated oven and let this cook down. Do not put a lid on the pot. Roast until all the veggies have broken down and are soft. This takes about 1/2  an hour to 45 minutes. Turn your stove burner on and put the pot on the  stove. IT WILL BE VERY HOT SO BE CAUTIOUS WITH THIS ACTION!!!   I use an immersion blender for this next step - if you do not have one use a blender or food processor. Pulse the  roasted vegetables until they are in a puree consistency, you may need to add some hot water to get to this point because the vegetables will thicken. Once pureed ( return to soup pot if using blender or food processor) add the seasonings,worcestershire sauce, potatoes, corn and then the remaining hot water. AGAIN USE CAUTION AS ALL OF THIS  WILL BE VERY HOT!  Stir until all is combined well and cook over medium heat bringing to a boil. Once the potatoes begin to cook well , lower  heat to medium and simmer for about an hour  or until potatoes are cooked through. I usually simmer for  about 1 hour.

Top photo shows  the roasted veggies  prior to blending. Lower photo shows  finished product,although the potatoes are not visible.

This soup is richly flavored,and is very satisfying. Serve with a nice crusty bread.


 You can use  whatever  vegetables you have on hand, these were just what I had available. That is the beauty of my base recipes, you actually can choose what your prefer if you don't  like my ingredients. I provide the suggestion and the technique, and then you make it your signature  recipe. I haven't used  canned  ingredients for this but I imagine you could , just alter the cooking times. If you omit the  potatoes and corn, this is a splendid hearty tomato soup!

I know my recipes seem time consuming but let me tell you, I have discovered  that when I cook I find a peacefulness  that envelopes me and I enjoy becoming creative with  different foods. I believe each of my recipes turn into a labor of love  and feels less of a chore as I had once considered this task to be. The time spent doing these  recipes actually flies by and before I know it  - it's done, we're fed and happy! Another benefit is usually there is enough left over to serve at another time.

When you teach yourself patience and appreciate your end result it makes  you feel just plain GOOD! In today 's  world where we  constantly seem to hurry up and wait , it's so nice  to feel good  even if it is  over something like a satisfying mealtime.

So there you have it! Another really good Home Base recipe!  Hope you try it, enjoy it and share your thoughts on how  yours turned out! I'd love to  find out what you think!  Don't be afraid to try using your ingredients and be curious!

Today's tip:  Each day share  at least one  good experience with someone else. It doesn't have to be something epic, just something GOOD.


"It is better to eat soup with someone you love than steak with someone you hate"  - Proverbs 15:17

Thanks for sharing some time with me, see you next time!  Have a beautiful day!








 
                           

Welcome to Home Base! If you are returning for another look into today's Home Base idea  or if this is your first visit, I hope you enjoy what information I have to share. I hope you can use my base ideas in your home.I also welcome your ideas you find work for you in keeping a stable home base  in your life.  Keeping it simple, encouraging others to try, doing what it takes to accomplish a goal are some of the avenues I think about daily. Putting my words to the board is  my way of  helping someone in someway find the easy, simple, and hopefully fun way in making life  just that much less complicated in our busy and complex lifestyles.

Trying something new,revising something old, standing by the standards that still work for me - these are areas I pull my base ideas from. Sometimes these  ideas may seem to be more of a challenge than I figured for a simpler solution to what I trying to do. Other times these idea outcomes are so much easier once accomplished  I say to myself " WOW!! Why couldn't I see that beforehand"?!!  In any event, being simple  and getting it right  matter to me. All it takes  is the base  thought "I can do this"  and I'm off  trying to do that very thing.

That is how today's idea  came about. I want to share a couple simple base recipes for my home seasonings I keep on hand in my pantry.  I use them almost always  when I cook so you will see them in my recipe lists often.  I decided, one day a couple of years  ago, since I use them so often to create my own. I like them because  the ingredients are simple fresh and I know what is in them as opposed to buying off the store shelf. What you buy in a store may contain  additives  that are unnecessary(like preservatives  which I am allergic to). 
I like knowing what I am using  is healthy in content. 

Purchasing these essential products as a whole actually saves me money and time as they last longer and can be purchased at your local  dollar stores, discount / closeout  stores , and bulk food stores  at a fraction of  what  it  runs you on the shelf in your grocery stores.  When I can find these items in bulk and I am willing to pay the  price offered I do it because I know I am saving money and will not have to  run out and get it again for a while.Finding them on sale = BONUS!!!

I  normally reuse the original  store bought container of what I am replenishing , a) because it is a familiar  container and b) it usually is a convenient size  to use  while I am creating  my  foods. I don't want to have large containers on my counter being in my way, it is just a preference because I can get clumsy once in a while. I keep the bulk containers on the pantry shelves  and use them  as I run out of my base. Once they are empty, if they can be reused I will stock  what I need in them, always recycling what I can in my home.

So with that in mind, let's get started!!
This home base is easy and economical and gets used every day in my house. It is preferred over all other salts.

Home Base Garlic Salt
I use EQUAL PORTIONS  of:
1 container Garlic Powder
1 equal amount ( use the garlic powder container as a  measure guide) 
Mediterranean Sea Salt  ( I use  the FINE  type, you can choose  Coarse if you prefer)
1 equal amount ( again use the garlic powder container)  dried Parsley Flakes

In an appropriate size bowl, ( medium or large) depending on quantity you are making, empty ingredients and mix all thoroughly. Store desired amount in current  container and if there is any left over  store it in your pantry in an airtight  container for future use. I keep  unpopped popcorn kernels in my regular use  container to keep the  powder  and salt from clumping. Some people use rice in their  shakers but rice would fall out of the holes in my shaker container.
     Variations for this base- use equal amount of onion powder  instead or/ with original  base.  Add 1/4 amount of ground black pepper  if you like pepper in your food.

Now this next recipe is an all purpose seasoning I use for fish, poultry, meats, soups, casseroles, and anything I think needs a touch more  homemade flavor to it. I have two options I am offering; when I season fish, poultry and meats I use the option  that has soup base added to it. When I season all other savory style  dishes I use  the  actual regular option base.

All Purpose Seasoning
Option 1                                            
Using EQUAL parts  or 1/4 cup per spice:
                 
Dried Parsley                                                                          
Poultry Seasoning 
Paprika
Cumin
Turmeric
Chili Powder

Option 2 
Use equal part 
Powder form Chicken flavored Soup Base
(similar to Bouillion)                        

  Mix all ingredients in a  bowl and put in container. This is good used a s a rub , or just sprinkle into your dishes. 
Add to your breading mix when you are  breading  foods to add another level of flavor.
Feel free to add to or omit to these base recipes  per your preference.


I want to share another tidbit  with you today-
Last weekend I was in the  Tawas, MI area searching out  fun  and interesting things. On Newman Street there are many local owned,  eclectic shops  with fantastic products and one of these shops really caught my eye because everything in it was produced  using natural products  from merchants in the USA!! The owner Cheley  Herman was as charming as her shop Lime in de Coconut, Bath & Body Boutique. Check her  place out online @www.limeindecoconut.tawas,MI and "Like" her page on Facebook, she  has some  awesome offers right now!!! Give them a look -see for some unique and  reasonable priced items.

Today's Home Base Tip -  Do not  miss an opportunity  to tell your friends  you care!
I hope you enjoyed today's offerings. Please join me soon foe more Home Base ideas!

"Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed".   Proverbs 16:2
 



 

Hi There! 
Welcome to my site "HOME BASE".
Home Base was designed with the intention  of creating your desires  by using a practical  and simple base idea as the foundation . Everything we do has a starting point and that starting point is taken and built upon until the end  result is achieved.Without a base idea nothing  will be accomplished; thus began my quest for Home Base to be born  and flourish.

My idea grew out of a need to share what wonderful things I am experiencing as I make my way through life as I know it to be. In my home, any idea we have  begins  with a base element - thought-, and from there  once thought  out, it is tried and if it works it is a keeper, if it doesn't work , well,  we try to figure out  where the issue is and  create better or  if it isn't feasible then  it is  tossed and we go back to the home base to work on a new  solution. I am sure this is the way it is in your home as well.

 With that in mind, I hope you will touch base with me often and and bring to your home ideas you can use creating your own Home Based  ideas, sharing  and utilizing them here with us all in an effort to build solid, fun, simple, ways to make life easier  for ourselves as life propels us through our busy  complex daily lives.

  I have never taken on a project like this before and it is a new avenue I walk,so please bear with me as I learn and grow. Home Base will share what works  and what doesn't  and hopefully will encourage us all to strengthen our base elements - So, with that said ...let's get started!
I thought  about what my first base idea to bring home to you would be.I have discovered over the years that FOOD is always a nice ice breaker and is usually enjoyed best when shared. My first Home Base offering  will be a hearty soup base .  It is an easy , quick to make  base. and as you will see, will make a great base  to build upon creating your own personal recipes over and over. Keep in mind I am providing the base, you can change it up any way you want  and use what works for you. If you cannot find the items I use, feel free to improvise with what you think will work, and let us know if your attempt was a win or pass on how it turned out. 

Each of  my homemade recipes begin with a base of ingredients I normally have on hand at home.A well stocked pantry is a nice thing. My husband Bob likes to buy some items  as if they are going out of style so sometimes I have  many  containers of  one specific thing and have to  decide how to be creative in  providing meals  in what appears to be forever until the supply will run low. This isn't so much a concern for packaged or canned goods , however when he brings home  fresh foods in quantity then I  have to  figure  on  using them up or  freezing them for future use.
  A lot of my recipes are  altered  ones  when I  cannot  use the  ingredients from a recipe because I may not have  that item. I go to the next available  thing I think  might work in my  base.  The  soup base I am going to share with you today  was built out of  this  same  necessity. Once I have a  solid  home base I can use, I always change it up for variation sake and that is a nice thing because, this soup base can be worked with in so many ways.

      Homemade French Onion Soup Base.....

Quantity: about  a gallon or 8-12 servings.

4 - 6           Large sweet onions of your choice, chopped or sliced to your preference. 
                   (I like mine halved  and sliced thin)
6  cloves    garlic minced or chopped
4 TBSP      butter and (or) 1/4  cup olive oil
2 stalks      celery chopped small
2                 carrots chopped small
2 pkgs        Brown Gravy  mix (found by the gravies)
2 TBSP      Worcestershire sauce
2 TBSP      liquid steak seasoning sauce (found by the steak sauces)
6-8  cups   water

* Croutons and a melty cheese  are optional, just depends on if it is on hand at the time.

In a large soup pot  melt butter and olive oil , add onions and sweat and stir them until they begin to brown a little. This will take some time, so  you can cut up your other veggies  to put in. Once you add these  vegetables  stir and let them  incorporate  in the  mixture and get  to a tender crisp  state. Add your 2  pkgs of  brown gravy mix , the worcestershire sauce and steak seasoning sauce and then the water. Stir  until  everything is incorporated and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to  medium low and simmer for at least  half an hour., longer if you have the time and want a heartier richer flavor.

If you want the addition of  croutons and  a melted cheese broiled on top of it then go for it. We only do that  sometimes because the soup  is quite hearty and flavorful as it is. Some people do not like so much deviation from  the "norm" as they  know it to be, so go ahead  and enjoy! It is all about what  suits you!!
That is all it takes to make the base. I usually parce out a 2 two hour time slot from beginning to end, but it really doesn't  need to be that long. 
 This time  I did put a variation to this as you can see in the photo above I had a yummy  basmati rice with mushroom  mix that Bob had brought home and I added 1 1/4 cups to the soup base, I also added 1/4 cup of barley at the same time.I added  them when I added the water.  That is what all the  extra  stuff floating  with the  carrots and onions are in the bowl. There was no need for any spices either  because the gravy mix and the rice mix already had plenty of spices !    Believe me, after  every  spoonful of his first bowl Bob said "Mmmmmmm" ! 
 You can use this base as is or take it further with the additions like I did this time. Be creative and  use what you like and if you do please let us know  how it was...good, win or bad,pass.We'd love to know so we can give it a try too!   The additions I used this time around added another level of  flavor and a little more substance as well. This recipe is a WINNER in my home. Its base is simple, tasty, economical and more healthy than not.  Please try this recipe, let me know what you thought of it and if you found it to be a win or pass!!

Today's tip: Enjoy what you do and if you don't enjoy it...find a way to enjoy something about it so it will at least be easier in some way.

Be sure to check back soon, because next time i would like to share what must have's I like to stock my pantry with and what I use to make my own  seasoning mixes.

"For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" Psalm 107:9 

Hope you enjoyed today's Home Base and have a beautiful day!