Experiment

If you've lived in the US, you've probably seen this kind of cookbook. You'll find them in the magazine racks at supermarkets. Charities and other organizations hand them out as thank-you's. They have titles like "Casseroles, Soups and Stews" or "Desserts", and they give advice about how to prepare a meal with nothing but a bag of Fritos, a jar of tomato paste, and a can of tunafish.

While cataloging my books, I looked over all the cookbooks in my kitchen. Several of them are of this type, having come into my hands by a variety of means. This week, feeling completely unadventurous, I decided to try one of their recipes, for an "enchilada casserole". It featured canned chicken, cream of mushroom soup, dried onion, and, yes, Fritos.

I just tried the first helping. I have to say I got what I deserved. It's not too bad - maybe a notch below Taco Bell in quality. (Stop snickering, you!) The biggest flaw was predictable: it's far too salty.

Oh, well. I had to try it.