Do you want a quick and easy dish for supper tonight? Here is one for you: “Corned Beef Hash.” Don't turn up your nose yet. It can be delicious, not like that awful canned stuff you tried years ago. But don't buy the corned beef brisket, either, that you see advertised at umpteen dollars a pound at the grocery store. It is not only expensive but it takes forever to cook. There is a better way.

As you look over the cans of tuna, looking for the best buy, glance over to the side of the shelf. There you will see corned beef and corned beef hash. Ignore the hash. The corned beef in the 12 ounce can is still a good buy, even if the price has risen from the 79 cents I remember from years ago. Buy two cans. I have a couple other recipes I will share with you later.

When I was first married back in '48, we were building our first house on the buy-as-you-can basis. There usually wasn't much left for groceries. Food banks were far in the future. I raised a garden but you can eat only so many carrots, etc. Since I shopped once a week and the freezing compartment of my beautiful new refrigerator only had freezing space for the ice cube trays, I bought very little fresh meat. I became an expert in throwing together a supper around a can of salmon, tuna or, “Praise God,” corned beef.

You would have to search to find a smidgen of fat in a can of corned beef. It is all meat. The only problem I have is with the can. Attaching that key to the opening thingy can be a challenge. Make your own hash. It is even better the next day for lunch.

CORNED BEEF HASH

12 ounce can corned beef, diced
6 medium potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced
1 small onion, chopped
¼ cup margarine
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt margarine in deep skillet. Add sliced potatoes and chopped onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook over medium heat until tender, 15 minutes or so. Turn potatoes once or twice. Uncover. Add corned beef. Don't remove from heat. Stir and chop with a chopper until potatoes are reduced to small pieces and the corned beef is heated through. Serve. My husband liked to add a fried egg to his plate atop the hash. You might, too. This recipe has a fresh flavor that canned corned beef hash isn't even in the neighborhood with. Please try it.