Published: February 13, 2008 09:36 am            

Sweet and easy meals for families on the go

By Janis Saunders

Democrat Food Critic

I had an e-mail from a young mother who has had to go back to work. She has a husband and two children and wanted to know how she could provide decent, fast food for them at the evening meal.

When she stayed home, she did her own baking, but now she said she is so tired when she comes home all she wants to do is collapse and feed them peanut butter sandwiches.

I sent Darlene four complete dinner menus I though might help her out. This menu was one of them.

First, I told her to stop by her favorite store and buy a roasted chicken. Now, she has the basis to prepare a dinner from there. Next, I told her to peel some potatoes and carrots, drizzle them with olive oil, salt and any other seasoning she likes. Put these in a shallow baking pan, set the oven for 400 degrees and cook until they are done. While the vegetables are baking, she can make this banana pudding and let it be chilling until dinner.



Banner banana pudding

2 cups milk, scalded

3/4 cup sugar

4 tablespoons flour, heaped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix sugar and flour together. Mix with scalded milk and cook until thick enough to coat a spoon. Add vanilla extract and stir well. Pour over layered sliced bananas and Nabisco Nilla wafers (use only Nabisco, no substitute). This recipe can be doubled easily. Try it, you’ll like it. Put the pudding in a fancy container. Food seems to taste better when it looks special.



So, in less than 30 minutes she can have a nice dinner for her family. If you want to be ambitious, make a quick salad.

Now, let’s get to a sweet subject. Thursday is Valentine’s Day and you know what that means. Chocolate — light, dark and all sorts of fillings.

Every year when this day rolls around I always think about my first Valentine’s Day with Jim. We had been going together since November and I was really excited about this “heart” day coming up.

The night of Valentine’s, Jim came over accompanied by his best friend, Bill. Bill and I were also friends, so I didn’t mind him being there. I turned on some music and we sat down to talk.

I noticed Jim had a sack he was holding behind his back. I playfully started trying to see what it was. He finally gave up and handed It to me. I tore into it and found a big beautiful pink heart-shaped box full of chocolates. I thanked him and probably gave him a quick kiss.

I put it on the coffee table and continued talking. I noticed both guys eying the candy. To be a good hostess, I asked if they would like some of my candy? Yes! I opened the box and passed it to Jim and then Bill. They each took a piece and pronounced the candy first rate. I asked if they would like another piece. Yes! Finally I just sat it down on the table and let them go at it. I had one piece and before I could say stop, it was all gone except for one piece that looked like it had coconut in it.

I couldn’t believe it. Jim realized what had happened and apologized. Bill made the remark “I thought that was what it was for — to eat.” I told them it was all right. Don’t worry about it.

After the candy was gone, Bill said he needed to head for home, so off they went. Later, Mother and Dad asked what I got for Valentine’s Day. I told them, “a real pretty pink empty box.”

Here is a chocolate dessert that is easy and rich but good.



Choco-nana dessert

2 cups whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar (more if you want it sweeter)

15 Oreo cookies, crushed finely

4 bananas, sliced

3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

Whip the cream with the sugar until peaks form.

Fill a large glass bowl with half of the cookie crumbs. Cover with half of the banana slices and half of the whipped cream. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the top layer of whipped cream. Scatter the toasted pecans over all and serve.

Kids will love that dessert.



Chocolate rum dessert

1 (6-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels

3 eggs, separated

2 tablespoons light rum

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Whipped cream

Chocolate curls

Melt chocolate over hot water in top of double boiler.

Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Gradually stir about one-fourth of chocolate into yolks; add to remaining chocolate, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in rum, almond extract and nutmeg.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until stiff peaks form; gently fold into chocolate mixture. Spoon into cordial glasses or little decorative glass container of your choice. Chill (over night if desired). Before serving top with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate curls.

Note: If you don’t have a double boiler pan, use an aluminum bowl that will sit on top of a pan of boiling water. Works just as well. This recipe makes about four small servings or two large ones.



I kept that first Valentine candy heart Jim gave me. More followed through the years, but that first one was special. It was a reminder to him not to eat all the candy. Men take note!

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Janis Saunders may be reached at jks4417@aol.com. Columns submitted to The Weatherford Democrat by guest writers reflect the opinions of the writer and in no way reflect the beliefs or opinions of The Weatherford Democrat.

        

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