Common Cuisine |

Trifle consists of layering four ingredients, usually into a clear bowl so you can best see the layers: cake, pudding, fruit or candy, and whipped topping. Here are two extremes and a fun variation. Feel free to invent your own combinations!

Just a Trifle

• 1 whole angel food cake
• 1 large package vanilla pudding, including milk to prepare pudding
• 1 package strawberries, sliced and tossed with 2 Tbsp sugar
• 16 oz tub whipped topping

Tear cake into bite-size pieces. Layer half the pieces in a trifle bowl, or other clear serving bowl. Prepare pudding according to package directions and layer half the pudding on top of cake. Layer half the strawberries, followed by half the whipped topping. Repeat layers.

Refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Not to be Trifled With

• 1 box devil’s food cake mix, including ingredients to prepare cake
• 1 large package chocolate pudding, including milk to prepare pudding
• 4 Nestle Crunch bars, or Toffee Bars, broken into small bits
• 16 oz tub whipped topping

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Let cool.

Tear cake into bite-size pieces. Layer half the pieces in a trifle bowl, or other clear serving bowl. Prepare pudding according to package directions and layer half the pudding on top of cake. Layer half the strawberries, followed by half the whipped topping. Repeat layers.

Refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Dirt (Just for kids)

• 1 box red velvet or chocolate cake mix, including ingredients to prepare cake
• 1 large package chocolate pudding, including milk to prepare pudding
• Gummy Worms
• 16 oz tub whipped topping
• Crushed Oreos

For this cake, make only one set of layers instead of the usual two.

Prepare cake according to package directions and let cool.

Tear cake into bite-size pieces. Layer cake in trifle bowl or other large serving bowl. Intersperse gummy worms throughout the cake layer and on top. Prepare pudding according to package directions, then fold together with whipped topping. Sprinkle Oreo crumbs on top.

Refrigerate 2 hours before serving. Makes 12 servings.

When you think in terms of the Essential Pantry and Build A Meal, shopping should be simple. Then build your menu around what you have in stock.

You will find that your Essential Pantry items are a little different than the suggested list. Try to replace your essential items as you run out of them. Check the sales flyers each week to see what is on sale, and choose to replenish those items.

In the produce section, pick out a few veggies and a few fruits to be your basics for the week. I tend to buy what’s on sale.

In the meat section, choose two or three kinds of meat, planning to use each one twice. I buy a lot of boneless skinless chicken breasts when they are on sale, and freeze them in 1 meal portions for later. Then another time I buy a couple of roasts on sale, or sirloin steaks, or pork loin, and freeze them. That way I’ve always got a good price, but also have variety.

Round out your trip with cereal, milk, bread, and whatever you like for lunch and snacks, and you should be set.

One-dish meals mean you can concentrate all your efforts on one dish, and your dinner is ready as soon as the dish is. Invent your own specialty using the following formula:

Choose one Sauce Maker:

• 1 can cream soup (mushroom, chicken, potato, asparagus, etc.)
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup (try fiesta nacho for kick)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (try Italian or Mexican seasoned)

Choose one Vegetable:

• 1 can drained green beans, sweet peas, asparagus cuts and tips, corn, or chopped spinach
• 1 1/2 cups thawed frozen broccoli, corn, green beans, peas, or spinach.

Choose one uncooked pasta/rice:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup regular rice
• 4 cups wide egg noodles
• 3 cups small pasta shells

Choose one protein:

• 2 (6 oz) cans tuna, drained
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, ham or turkey
• 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

Choose one or more extras (optional):

• 1 (3 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• ¼ cup sliced ripe olives
• ¼ cup chopped red or green bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup chopped celery
• 1 (4½ oz) can chopped green chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix

Choose one or two toppings:

• ½ cup shredded Mozzarella, Swiss, or Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup cracker crumbs
• 1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix

Include all the Basics:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Combine the Basics with Sauce Maker (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes). Stir in Vegetable, Pasta/Rice, Protein, and, if desired, Extras. Spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.

Bake, covered, at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with toppings; bake 10 more minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings.

All you have to do is choose one item from each of the following categories, and you’ve got a basic meal. Now you just have to decide how to cook it! For entertaining, add a starter, a salad, and a dessert.

PROTEIN

• Chicken or Turkey

• Ground Beef
• Beef (Roast, Ribs, Steaks)
• Pork (Chops, Roast, Ribs)
• Ham, Sausage or Bacon
• Fish or Shellfish
• Cheese
• Tofu
• 2 of 3: Beans, Rice, Corn

VEGETABLE

• Artichokes

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Green Beans
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Salad
• Squash

STARCH

• Beans

• Bread
• Pasta
• Potato
• Rice
• Tortillas
• Fruit

Here is a list of what I find necessary or at least useful in my everyday cooking adventures. I wish I had a list like this when I was selecting items for my wedding registry. It would have saved me from backtracking to collect these items over the next several years. On the other hand, it has made it easy for me to come up with a Christmas list every year!

This is my idea of the ideal list. If you even have a reasonable selection of these items, you are set to make it for weeks without going to the grocery except for perishables. Your list will probably vary slightly from this one, due to your own personal tastes. Whatever your items are, just make sure you keep them in stock and it will make your last-minute meals go a lot more smoothly!