Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy!

I know, I know, another children’s show reference.  Forgive me.
It’s quite odd, the way the blogging process has been this past week.  It’s been hot here, and all I have felt like making is fruit salad.  I’m not sure I have a lot to say about that.  But an occurrence here has captured my mind and I can’t let it go.  So, if you kind readers don’t mind indulging me, I am going to attempt to write through my “cooking block” by just sharing my sick, silly story along with a few other random thoughts.
Macaroni and Cheese, part I                                                                     I was making a meal Wednesday, macaroni and cheese, but alas, no fruit salad (I ran out of strawberries), and had the 3 tablespoons of butter softening somewhat near the boiling pasta water when I heard a thump and saw our sweet, well, let’s say spirited, maybe, dog run off in a hurry.  At first I thought she snagged an apple wedge which would only serve her right since she doesn’t really enjoy them, so I wasn’t too concerned.  Thirty seconds later, I realized she stole the butter!  By the time I caught up to her, all that remained was the paper liner.  GROSS!   I kind of took it as a sign.  A flashing neon one warning me that I wasn’t really having any fun in the kitchen that day.

Jewels, photo taken by Jack, 5/25/09

99% Dog, 1% Human                                                                                  For the past two days, Jack has been telling me with concern that after a playful nibble from Jewels, he is turning into a dog himself.  This sudden change, he explains, means he doesn’t need his nails trimmed and he is becoming more furry by the minute.  Also, he wants to drink liquids from a plastic bowl.  He even poured a bowl of Froot Loops, called it dog food and ate from the bowl as such.   When he ventured Thursday night into the theory that he has now become 100% dog, I informed him that 100% dogs don’t get any Froot Loops and have to eat real dog food.  Well, Jack reconsidered and told me he was still 1% human, thank goodness.  In case you were wondering, his dog name is Jax.  At least his initials will be the same.

Let sleeping dogs lie

Macaroni and Cheese, part II                                                                   I used to love macaroni and cheese.  But the kind that I make for my husband and son no longer interests me.  It’s the kind my husband grew up with.  He doesn’t like the Kraft packaged type, so I managed to perfect the recipe he taught me.  The two of them love it, so I make it when I’m in a hurry or on the occasion that I, myself, have better plans.  It involves boiling the pasta and draining.  While draining, use the same pan to melt butter over medium-low heat.  Mix pasta back in with melted butter and then add a touch of milk.  Once the milk is warmed up to bubbly, mix in the grated cheddar and stir until melted and distributed.  Serve.  If you want the exact measurements, I can get them to you, but I’m a bit embarrassed to include them because I don’t love the dish.  But who am I to say that that the taste buds of my two boys don’t count?

Fruit Salad                                                                                                            I have tried fancy fruit salad recipes before, but in my way of thinking, the fresh fruit should be the star.  So, my fruit salad has been pretty simple.  I like to include a lot of strawberries, sliced.  I add some frozen blueberries* I have on hand and pick at least one other fruit.  I personally like ripe bananas.  But you need to cut them into the salad soon before serving to avoid the ugly browning.  I also like halved grapes or cut orange segments.  Not a fan of chopped apples, especially if they have the skin on them.   To keep it really healthy and avoid browning, I just pour a little orange juice in and stir it up.

Pretty simple.  I think you could eat this salad every day and be happy! 

(*I like to flash freeze fresh blueberries in season, at a good price, on a cookie sheet.  Then, place in a well sealed zip lock type bag with excess air removed, in the freezer.  They thaw quickly for fruit salad, pancakes, muffins, or oatmeal.  Last year, Jack and I even hand-picked some of our blueberries in nearby Naches!)