THE
SECRET OF
SUCCESS FOR
SCHOOL &
ACTIVITY
FUNCTIONS:
A Brief Guide For Working Parents
BY
DOREEN
ARCUS
WORKING
MOTHER OF
TWO
Rule 1. Keep these staples on hand:
- Rice Krispies, including the multicolored versions available around holidays
- Marshmallows-miniature are best
- Jimmies-collect all colors and color combinations
Rule 2. Always volunteer to bring dessert. That way you can still meet your obligations if you are running late because of kid, animal, or adult issues or some unforeseen combination of these.
Rule 3. Make your customized Rice Krispie Treats (RKT's) in the microwave. No muss, no fuss. Use the largest size Pyrex glass bowl. Mix the first several cups of cereal with a fork dipped in hot water (keeps marshmallow from sticking too badly), and the last few with your hands (also dipped in hot water, though probably not quite as hot as the water you use for the fork).
Rule 4. Customize by holiday or activity. You can mix some candies in with the Treats themselves, though the color on M&M's, for example, will run. Candy corn is perfect around Halloween (one of the most important kid holidays). Mostly, you can depend on jimmies (known as sprinkles outside New England) for holiday or seasonally appropriate color combinations. There are at least three advantages to using jimmies: (1) Kids eat anything with jimmies. Jimmie decorated RKT's will go first at any desert buffet; I have considered adding them to brussel sprouts. (2) Jimmies will stick just fine if you use your hot-water moistened hands to pat down the RKT's into the pan and then sprinkle the decorations. Press in and then turn the pan upside down over the sink to get rid of the excess. (3) You can cut the RKT's into serving sized pieces without worrying about cutting through the jimmies; larger or harder decorations can be a problem here.
Rule 5. Stay away from colored marshmallows-they wind up looking grey and gross. Miniatures melt more evenly than the large ones, although they will work in a pinch too.
Rule 6. Don't think this approach can't work with adults too. Try the chocoholic twist. Use Cocoa Krispies and mix in some chocolate chips. I have had true gourmands ask for the recipe as well as, "where one could buy those... what did you call them... 'Cocoa Krispies?'" Add a little crushed peppermint stick to top them off around the holidays and you are golden.
This is great stuff. Many kids and adults find them delicious and they are probably healthier than some other dessert alternatives. They will make your life a tad more manageable while you are the hit of the Blue and Gold Dinner, the Preschool Pot Luck, and even the Annual Departmental Spring Fling. Remember: Gourmet is in the eye (or tummy) of the beholder.
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