Time needed:
20 minutes

Number of servings:
4

Ingredients:
2-4 Tbsp. butter

1/4 lb. mushrooms (optional)
cleaned and sliced

1/2 onion, chopped

1 can cream soup (choices! mushroom, celery, chicken, even broccoli...)

1-2 c. diced Protein (leftover? ;-) of choice: chicken, turkey, or ham...OR two 6.5 oz. cans tuna, drained...or try one "envelope" of tuna (approx. 7 oz.)*

1 c. sour cream ("lite" is OK)

Optional: grated cheese for Topping, your choice! Cheddar, parmesan...blends...what's in the fridge? ;-) Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:
Saute' onions and mushrooms in butter in skillet, over medium heat, approx. 10 min, or until onions are softened and slightly transparent.

Add soup; mix well.

Add your Choice of Protein ;-)
Mix well.

Add sour cream; stir well.

Lower heat and simmer 5 min. or until warmed through.

Serve over cooked pasta, chow mein noodles, rice, toast triangles...plain waffles...whatcha got?

Other comments or suggestions:
*the new "envelope" package of tuna seems pricey per ounce, but has Very minimal water added! The 7 oz. envelope lists 3.5 servings. The flavor is less "fishy" than tinned tuna.

This is easy to "customize" and extend many ways; my daughter would prefer that I leave out the onions and fresh mushrooms.

A bit of diced veggies could be nice for color and texture, added in last 5 minutes of simmering: green/red peppers, broccoli, celery. Mushrooms could be added later, too...sort of depends on your preference. Diced green onions or a shake of dried chives would be a nice change...and "onion salt" vs. regular regular salt works for many.

We usually open some canned veggies as a side dish, or serve a raw veggie/fruit platter.

Rotate your canned goods as you re-stock shelves; tonight, after making a special trip to the store 'cuz I was out of sour cream, I found the Cream of Mushroom soup on my shelf was dated Aug. 1993. Ewwwwwwww! Tossed that out; it's older than my 7 year old son!! Canned goods aren't meant to be Time capsules, after all ;-) We really do try to rotate things on the shelves, and I was amazed to have anything that old on hand. That allows me to make the point that Cream Soups can be fairly interchangeable for simple meals. Substitute one flavor for another, and odds are, the family won't notice. That would not be news to Campers and RV'ers, who are total masters of making the most of What's In the Fridge and On the Shelf.

Regarding the Toast Triangles: if Grandpa or Grandma served in the armed forces, ask 'em about "mess halls" and the cuisine known as "SOS." (We saw "Pearl Harbor" last night, and that brings it to mind). Obviously, Anything can be served too darn often...but this kind of Stuff can hit the spot at times!!!