Well It's about that time. I'm planning a road trip next week. Reminds me of road trips when I was a kid. Often, I would walk in the house on the last day of the school year, and Mom would be putting stuff in the car. She'd tell me to pack a bag, and with in an hour we'd be at the grocery store buying deli ham, Longhorn cheddar cheese, diet Coke and ice. This would all put put into a small Styrofoam cooler behind the driver's seat.
In the car, would be a selection of cassettes. Music ranging from folk, country, and pop. A fill up at the gas station, a quick read o the map, and we were off.
The old Toyota didn't have air conditioning, so we'd put bandannas in the ice and then wrap them around our necks. There we were out on the road, singing to the radio, eating ham and cheese, drinking diet Coke, and having the best time. A day or two later, we'd be at the Grandparents, where we were often given a cold dry meat loaf sandwich.
We'd cross the border of Kansas into Oklahoma just around sun rise. the light would be start to shift, then the sky would slowly turn purple, then lighter and lighter. If there were any clouds around they would start to take on an orange then pinking hue. When the sun finally rose it would be a big red ball on the horizon. then slowly turn brighter and brighter. I remember a feeling of true peace watching this.
Well this year will be a little different. We're a bit older; we're not driving 1100 miles in less than 24 hours. Sure, we'll still play music, sing off key. have a ham sandwich or two, but i lot can be said for a comfortable car, and air conditioning.
Today what is good car food?
Take a whole wheat tortilla, spread 2 tablespoons of Nutella, add a peeled banana, roll up. wrap in plastic wrap.
another yummy treat: frozen grapes.
lay out grapes in a single layer on a cookie sheet of plate. place in the freezer for 1 hour.
for the cooler put them in a zip lock back. keep in the ice.
Hummus and chips.
Cut up a package of pita bread into small triangles, put them on a baking sheet in one layer. leave them in a 250 degree oven for 10 minutes.
when the chips cool put them in a zip lock bag.
for the hummus,
Ingredients:
1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
paprika
Preparation:
Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with paprika (optional).
place in an air tight container, keep cold in the ice. until ready to eat.
Ham and cheese roll ups.
one large slice of deli ham
1 ounce of longhorn cheese.
roll the ham around the cheese. also can be wrapped in plastic wrap for the cooler
Enjoy the holiday.
