Make fabulous foods using a formula, not a recipe

Ever feel like a kitchen klutz? Wish you could take that odd assortment of stuff in the pantry and freezer, mix it with leftovers in the fridge, and make something delicious without a recipe and without running to the market? That's called cooking with a formula — not a recipe.

Well, grab your whisk, and shout for joy! Thanks to this foolproof five-step formula, you can create fabulous, original and nutritious casseroles designed by you, using the items you have on hand.

1 Combine 3/4 cup sour cream, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper with one item from Group A, which is coming up below (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes).

2 Stir in one item from each of Groups B, C, D and E (again, no sour cream or milk when using tomatoes).

3 Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13-by-9by-2-inch baking dish.

4 Sprinkle with one or two choices from Group F.

5 Cover, and bake the casserole at 350 F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover, and bake 10 additional minutes. Servings: About 6.

Group A

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 can cream of celery soup, undiluted

1 can cheddar cheese soup, undiluted

2 cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

Group B

2 cans solid white tuna, drained and flaked 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped

2 cups cooked ham, chopped

2 cups cooked turkey, chopped

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

Group C

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 cup uncooked rice

4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells

Group D

1 package chopped spinach, thawed

1 package frozen, cut broccoli

1 package frozen Italian green beans

1 package frozen peas 1 package frozen sliced yellow squash

1 package frozen, wholekernel corn

Note: packages should be about 10 ounces.

Group E

1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained

1/4 cup ripe olives, sliced 1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped 1/4 cup celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small can chopped green chiles

1 packet taco seasoning mix

Group F

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs

Example combinations

CHICKEN BAKE >> Cream of chicken soup, broccoli, rice, chicken, Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

HAM CASSEROLE >> Cream of celery soup, Italian green beans, wide egg noodles, ham, garlic and two portions Swiss cheese. TURKEY BAKE >> Italianstyle diced tomatoes, spinach, medium pasta shells, turkey, onion, garlic, mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs.

VEGETARIAN CASSEROLE >> Italian-style diced tomatoes, yellow squash, rice, olives, four portions (1 cup) celery, four portions (ditto) bell pepper, garlic, Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

Now it's your turn.