I CAN cook if I have to

I think I'm going to write a cookbook.

Those who know me are probably laughing. Nancy Kline writes a cookbook. Yeh right!

But you have to notice the title I CAN cook.

The key word is CAN.

I have noticed lately how many cans of food I use when cooking.

So my cookbook will be a mathematical wonder. 1 can plus another 1 can can create 2 cans of some delicious dish that even my grandchildren may eat.

It started simple. One can of pre-cooked navy beans, plus one can of pre-cooked diced potatoes, add a little onion and maybe one small can of ham and I have a "home-cooked ham and bean soup" that is very filling.

Thanksgiving was my "CAN" do-it meal. I did bake a large turkey, but from there I noticed I used a lot of cans. I start with two cans of broth for the noodles. Then it took four cans of corn to make a corn casserole.

My popular cranberry salad is a can wonder itself. Two cans of jellied cranberry sauce, two cans of whole cranberries, one can of pineapple, one can of mandarin oranges, add some walnuts and marshmallows and maybe one large box of strawberry jello and you have the picture.

Then add two cans of yams flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon and marshmallows, and two cans of green beans mixed with one can of mushroom soup and you get the idea.

I had 16 cans I had used to help make my Thanksgiving dinner.

But I digress. I must get back to my cookbook idea.

I will title it "Anyone "CAN" cook with the right cans.

One can of salmon plus one can of mushroom soup mixed with shredded hash browns and cooked in the microwave can make a 15-minute meal.

Are you getting the idea? Cans of food added to other cans can make quick meals? Sometimes almost quicker then running to the local fast food restaurant.

My children never complained. They had grown up on canned cooking and didn't know any different. So please, don't tell them, that yams don't grow in cans and roast beef is not an item that comes pre-cooked and canned from the cow?