Homemade Condensed Soup

On occasion a recipe will call for a can of "Cream of Mushroom" or "Cream of Celery" soup or something similar.  I realize how convenient it is to open those cans, but the sodium content and a few of the other ingredients made me search for an alternative several years ago.  This recipe cooks up quickly and only has 5 ingredients.  I have been using it in our family favorite Green Bean Casserole and Hash Brown Casserole for years without any complaints!

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook until the mixture bubbles. Whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to a sauce consistency. Stir in the pepper. Use in recipes calling for condensed cream soups. Yield: 2 cups.

Adapted from recipe on Life As Mom