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Post by Lexica on May 3, 2022 2:13:17 GMT
In the meatloaf recipe thread, a recipe using Campbell's cream of onion soup in a recipe. I mentioned my mom had a Campbell's cookbook and we had a couple of family favorite recipes that used the canned soups. I have some cream of mushroom soup in my cupboard right now to use with the giant bag of frozen green beans I bought at Costco.
Thinking of these condensed soups sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole looking at the history of the Campbell's company. The company was started by Joseph Campbell, a wholesale fruit and vegetable vendor, and Abraham Anderson, a commercial canner and packer. They joined forces and sold canned tomatoes and vegetables, jellies, soups, condiments, and minced meats.
After Joseph Campbell retired, Arthur Dorrance became the general manager of the company, then called the Joseph Campbell Preserve Company. A few years later Arthur hired his nephew, Dr. John Dorrance, a chemist. Dr. John Dorrance was 24 years of age when hired and in 1897 invented condensed soups. He figured that storage and shipping would be much cheaper if they could produce a soup without the added water. The soup was selling for 10 cents a can. Obviously we know what a huge boon to the company these condensed soups became. So take that, uncle Arthur!
A couple of interesting tidbits
-1987, Arthur Dorrance didn't want to hire his nephew, Dr. John Dorrance because he thought he was too much of a scholar.
-1934, chicken noodle soup was originally called noodle with chicken soup but a radio announcer misread it and said chicken noodle soup. The company changed the name.
-1955, Dorcas Reilly creates the iconic Green Bean Casserole recipe.
-2011, Mary Alice Dorrance Malone, the grand daughter of John Dorrance, was blackmailed by a longtime friend of over 30 years with a tell-all book called, "When the Soup Boils" and possible movie to embarrass Ms. Malone who leads a very quiet life out of the press. Something happened to end their friendship. Apparently the friend was accused of doing something, but what that was, I don't know. The friend, Agnes O'Brien, was living in a house on Ms. Malone's property. After the kerfuffle, Ms. Malone sent her an eviction notice because she intended to sell the home. The friend didn't want to move so she wrote the book and threatened Ms. Malone, requesting $250,000 a year for life to stop from publishing it keep quiet.
Ms. Malone tried to settle through their lawyers to keep things out of the press, but an offer including remaining in the home with a rent of $400 per year for life was not acceptable to Ms. O'Brien. A sting involving the FBI was set up and Ms. O'Brian was arrested. After learning all this, I want to know what split up their 30-year friendship and sometime employee relationship.
Anyway, after all that babbling......My actual question is, have you ever purchased any of the cream of whatever soups and actually ate it as a soup? I've only used them to add to a recipe, never to eat it as a soup.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on May 3, 2022 2:38:47 GMT
That’s interesting. I have had cream of asparagus soup s actual soup. My friend’s grandmother served it and I thought it was so fancy, I had never had cream of asparagus soup and probably only had asparagus a handful of times at that point (I was about 12).
I really wish these soups weren’t so unhealthy because they are convenient and make a good casserole. I can’t have wheat now so they aren’t an option anyway.
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Post by lucyg on May 3, 2022 2:40:17 GMT
Sure, I grew up eating Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup before I ever heard of using it in a recipe. I still make it occasionally but I doctor it up with mushrooms and a little sherry.
And I’m happy to use it in recipes to this day. Love the flavor and have no interest in making a white sauce if I can avoid it.
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Post by CardBoxer on May 3, 2022 2:40:43 GMT
Yes. as a kid and young adult I loved cream of mushroom and cream of celery soups. Then I became lactose intolerant and reactive to milk protein, so that ended that.
My favorite meatloaf used cream of mushroom soup. I love reading about histories of some companies. That was fun, thanks.
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Jili
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SLPea
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Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on May 3, 2022 2:41:40 GMT
As a child, one of our favorite lunches was 'cream of mushroom soup on toast'. Sounds disgusting, but it's really good. I have done this as an adult, more like cutting a piece or two of toast into small squares and putting it in the soup (as I go). It's been years since I've had it, but it's great comfort food and really nostalgic for me.
I haven't eaten any of the others as actual soup.
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Post by quinlove on May 3, 2022 3:06:17 GMT
Campbell’s tomato soup is a favorite of mine. I make it with 2/3 can of milk and a chunk of butter. Soothing comfort food on a rainy day - with grilled cheese sandwich. ❤️
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quiltz
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Post by quiltz on May 3, 2022 3:19:13 GMT
There is a newer version of the cream of mushroom that includes shiitake mushrooms and really adds a lot of flavour to whatever you are making.
The cheddar cheese soup is the base for a California veggie casserole.
The cream of mushroom, tomato and chicken noodle soups are on sale for 49 cents (With store card) or 59 cents w/o card. A very good deal, so I will stock up a bit. This is CDN$, so even cheaper in US$.
I go thru my pantry twice a year and the food bank will get my "left-overs", which usually have at least a year on the "best before" date.
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Post by Lexica on May 3, 2022 3:37:56 GMT
Campbell’s tomato soup is a favorite of mine. I make it with 2/3 can of milk and a chunk of butter. Soothing comfort food on a rainy day - with grilled cheese sandwich. ❤️ Oh, wait. I have had their tomato soup. I wasn't considering that one because it isn't a "cream of whatever" type of soup. I have it with grilled cheese too!
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Post by Lexica on May 3, 2022 3:41:39 GMT
That’s interesting. I have had cream of asparagus soup s actual soup. My friend’s grandmother served it and I thought it was so fancy, I had never had cream of asparagus soup and probably only had asparagus a handful of times at that point (I was about 12). I really wish these soups weren’t so unhealthy because they are convenient and make a good casserole. I can’t have wheat now so they aren’t an option anyway. That sounds good. I'm going to have to try that one. I love asparagus. I typically just grab whatever soup I need to cook with when I am in the canned soup aisle and haven't bothered to look at all the kinds they actually sell. I have only used it a few times a year too. I guess I'm going to have to have a good look at the soup aisle the next time I'm in the store.
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Post by Legacy Girl on May 3, 2022 3:51:37 GMT
Wow, how the Peas have changed. Back in the day, you didn't dare admit you had ever consumed any "Campbell's Cream of Crap" soups. I'll stand up and join the chorus of those who have eaten these soups -- both in casseroles and in a bowl. I mostly cook soups from scratch now, and after doing so, I get tired of soup, period. So I don't often make Campbell's, but I don't have an aversion to it.
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milocat
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Post by milocat on May 3, 2022 3:51:46 GMT
We would eat the cream of mushroom or tomato soup. My mom never cooked with them. I never have either. I haven't had the soup in probably 20 years.
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ComplicatedLady
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Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on May 3, 2022 4:39:58 GMT
As a child, one of our favorite lunches was 'cream of mushroom soup on toast'. Sounds disgusting, but it's really good. I have done this as an adult, more like cutting a piece or two of toast into small squares and putting it in the soup (as I go). It's been years since I've had it, but it's great comfort food and really nostalgic for me. I haven't eaten any of the others as actual soup. I ate something similar as a child but instead of toast, we put Cream of Mushroom soup over rice. It was an easy side for pork chops (and similar meals) and it was a quick and easy lunch/meal for busy kids. I ate it even through college because it was so cheap and easy to make.
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Post by disneypal on May 3, 2022 8:47:49 GMT
My actual question is, have you ever purchased any of the cream of whatever soups and actually ate it as a soup? I've only used them to add to a recipe, never to eat it as a soup. You might enjoy the History channel’s show “The Food That Built America” - Season 2, Episode 8 was all about Campbell’s … very interesting. I love seeing how these well known companies started, changed & grew. To answer your question, yes…I love to eat Cream of Chicken soup as a soup…it’s mmm, mmm, good!
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on May 3, 2022 10:02:46 GMT
My mom always made cream of mushroom soup. Everyone in the family loved it but me. I thought it tasted nasty. I think all those cream of soups have a metallic taste to them. I'd much rather make my own -- I'm pretty good at making a roux. I made my MIL's crabmeat and corn chowder last weekend and it was so good.
But I don't care if anyone else eats it. I'll eat it in a casserole or hidden in something, but please don't serve it to me in a bowl.
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gsquaredmom
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Post by gsquaredmom on May 3, 2022 10:07:01 GMT
That WAS soup growing up. I discovered Progresso as an adult. But Campbell’s is still the main choice. Small cans. He was on to something.
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peabay
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on May 3, 2022 10:51:31 GMT
Meh - I’ll admit I still use cream of chicken soup occasionally with things in my crockpot. Judge me - I don’t care.
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Post by zuke on May 3, 2022 11:01:32 GMT
We use different flavors of the cream of... soups when we make Pot Pies. Delicious!
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casii
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Post by casii on May 3, 2022 11:31:53 GMT
When I was a kid, if we had a cold, cream of chicken soup with toast was our comfort food.
I had a subscription to a kids magazine when I was little that had a beginner recipe with 3 ingredients. Cream of mushroom, a can of tuna, mix that up with the recommended amount of water and serve over toast. My little sister who is 48 still loves it.
My MIL uses cream of soups in several of her recipes, so if DH wants a childhood favorite, we use it!
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on May 3, 2022 11:45:53 GMT
We never at the canned Cream of soups as soup when I was growing up. Only in recipes.
Same now, if I want to eat a cream type soup I will make it from scratch. However I do very occasionally use it in recipes. I prefer from scratch for casseroles. But I'm the one that makes that meatloaf as it's a favorite. And I also use the canned soups in the old school chicken and rice recipe from my childhood. I rarely make either of these. I might make each twice a year. But sometimes they hit just right for a good comfort food.
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anaterra
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Post by anaterra on May 3, 2022 12:25:14 GMT
Lexica that was pretty interesting.. thanks I only use the cream soups as mix ins... casserole, chicken spaghetti things like that... i dont really like soup...
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Post by workingclassdog on May 3, 2022 12:44:44 GMT
I have never used Cream of whatever as a soup.. just for cooking (same for my mom so probably why I have done the same)..
There is one called Cream of Creamy Chicken or something like that .. I have always used for a soup not for cooking. Not the regular Cream of Chicken but different. (It's been years so I can't remember the exact soup)
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on May 3, 2022 13:58:41 GMT
Cream of potato soup (add piece or two of diced up bacon), with fresh baked crescent rolls. Cream of chicken and a can of double noodle = creamy chicken noodle, with fresh baked crescent rolls. It used to be a staple comfort food in my pantry. These days trying eat healthier, so the soup and the crescent rolls had to be eliminated.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 3, 2022 14:11:35 GMT
My mom made cream of mushroom soup growing up, haven't had it in years as me and lactose don't always get along and I save my rebelling for cheese. I have never been a big casserole fan, so don't really make them.
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Post by Lexica on May 3, 2022 17:01:42 GMT
We use different flavors of the cream of... soups when we make Pot Pies. Delicious! Now that hadn't occurred to me! I love a good pot pie.
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Post by papersilly on May 3, 2022 17:07:38 GMT
the only cream soups i buy are cream of chicken and cream of mushroom and i've only really started doing that in the past couple of years. they seem to come in handy for casseroles and i wasn't big on making casseroles until the pandemic. and no, we never eat the soups as soups. they are always used as a sauce base for something else.
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Post by Lexica on May 3, 2022 17:21:50 GMT
I see many of us grew up using a can in a family favorite recipe. disneypal , I'll look that show up, thank you! And casii, your post made me remember a recipe that I was given so many years ago. It used cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced water chestnuts, mustard, jack and cheddar cheeses grated, onions, and two cans of tuna. I'm probably missing a couple of ingredients there but those were the main ones that I can remember. You just heated that mixture up and served it over rice. It was so good! By the time you added multiple things in and the cheeses melted, you didn't notice the canned soups any longer. The recipe was given to me by a man that I worked with who was a confirmed bachelor. He said he learned to "assemble" foods instead of learning to cook so that he didn't starve. It sure wasn't health food, but it was delicious on a cold rainy night.
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Post by jenjie on May 3, 2022 17:35:37 GMT
I never really thought to wonder why soup was sold condensed. To me, It’s just always been.
Dh ate cream of chicken straight from the can. As in, open the can and stick a spoon in. Not my cup of tea (soup).
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naby64
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Jun 25, 2014 21:44:13 GMT
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Post by naby64 on May 3, 2022 18:49:31 GMT
Ha, I was just telling someone yesterday that I used to use a can of Cream of Mushroom soup and add a can of minute rice to that. Heavy addition of pepper. Then just would spoon it into a bowl and eat it. Back when I was young and could eat anything I wanted. It was so good. I told her I guess it was a risotto on a budget and quick.
Now that I am lactose intolerant and really don't eat rice much, that dish is out.
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Post by peasapie on May 3, 2022 19:08:25 GMT
I don't do much Campbells soup, but I LOVE their tomato rice soup, which I mix with (lactaid) milk.
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Post by flanz on May 3, 2022 19:11:27 GMT
That’s interesting. I have had cream of asparagus soup s actual soup. My friend’s grandmother served it and I thought it was so fancy, I had never had cream of asparagus soup and probably only had asparagus a handful of times at that point (I was about 12). I really wish these soups weren’t so unhealthy because they are convenient and make a good casserole. I can’t have wheat now so they aren’t an option anyway. Same. As I kid I loved the Cream of Mushroom soup with saltine crackers crumbled into it.
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