The other day I walked into the kitchen at lunch to find my mother sitting at the kitchen table with some hot dog buns, a jar of marmalade, a brick of cream cheese, and some leftover chili. She was making sandwiches.
The process was as follows:
- Open the hot dog bun.
- Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on it.
- Add a thick layer of orange marmalade.
- Spoon cold chili on top of the marmalade.
- Close the bun.
- Put it on a serving platter.
- Repeat.
“What are you doing?” I asked. A dumb question, I know, but sometimes things just pop out of mouth when I’m astonished.
“Making lunch for the boys,” she replied, remaining steadily on task.
“Elinor, what are adding now?” my father asked. She was at the chili step.
She glared up at him. “I’m adding hamburger!” she fairly shouted. How dare he question her! “This is my hamburger and I want to add it!”
My father and I looked at each other and decided not to question this process any further. There were, after all, only four hot dog buns, so the sandwich factory was self-limiting. Just in case, however, I made sure other bread products were safely put away.
She sat down and ate two of her own sandwiches for lunch that day, but there were no other takers. My father made himself a bologna sandwich. He’s become quite self-sufficient in the kitchen.
My mother used to be a wonderful cook. I need to remind myself of that as I throw away the concoctions she now makes. However, the heat wave affecting many of us this week reminded me of my mother’s wonderful summertime dessert called Orange Ice Dessert. It is cool and refreshing. One of my brothers has a July birthday and this was what he usually had instead of a cake. Here is the recipe exactly how she had it written
Orange Ice Dessert
- 6 oranges (3 cups juice)
- 1 lemon (1/4 cup juice)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 pint whipping cream
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or more if desired)
- 1/2 cup sugar
Mix orange juice, lemon juice and sugar well. Pour into a deep freezing pan (loaf type). Whip cream. Add sugar and pecans. Mix well. Spoon whipped cream mixture on top of juice mixture and freeze.
Additional comments: Wonderful make-ahead summer dessert — very refreshing.
My kids don’t like nuts, so we don’t put the nuts in. Or we make two pans, one with nuts and one without.
I may run out this morning and get some orange juice so I can make this. Then I can add a picture. And enjoy one of my favorite summertime treats.
Either that, or some hot dog buns and chili so I can try her other recipe. Or not.
Bon Appetit!
