1/2 to 1 lb. sliced, fresh mushrooms (any variety)
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Freshly ground black pepper
Optional: 1/2 lb. ground beef (chuck or round)

To boost whole grains, add 1/2 cup whole grain quinoa with soup mix and an additional cup of water.

To give a Mediterranean twist, in final 5 minutes of cooking time add 12 ounces cut up salmon or firm white fish as substitute for optional ground beef.

To cut saturated fat, prepare with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter rather than 2 tablespoons butter to sauté vegetables. Skip optional ground beef or prepare with extra lean ground beef.

To cut sodium, prepare with low sodium broth. To cut sodium further, substitute water for half of the broth.