I was looking online for a recipe the other day. Clicking from site to site, I started thinking about my grandmother and wondered what her reaction would be to my casual Web search if she were alive today. Her tried-and-true recipes came from her memory or from recipe cards stored in a small box. Now when I thumb through the worn cards, it's like a snapshot in time as I read her menus for family celebrations and her tips for preparing and serving favorite dishes.
A recipe that recently grabbed my attention was for preparing a "Sandwich Loaf." An unsliced loaf of bread was cut into three or four lengthwise slices, layered with different fillings, reassembled into a loaf shape and "frosted" with a cream-cheese spread. I recall how, as a young girl, I thought it looked very elegant and fancy when prepared for luncheons and bridal showers.
Here's an easy twist on the traditional sandwich-loaf recipe that will be fun for you and your kids or grandkids to prepare and eat together. Make four individual minisandwich loaves and layer them with ingredients kids love.
First, open a can of four pineapple rings; drain and set rings on a paper towel to absorb excess juice. Wash and dry the can, making sure there aren't any sharp edges. Ask your child to take out four slices of sandwich bread and place them on a cutting board. Press the open side of the can into the middle of each slice and press down like a cookie cutter. Lift can up, remove the round shape and butter it on one side.
Now comes the layering. Set pineapple rings on a cookie sheet. Add a scoop of your favorite chicken-salad recipe on top of each one. Spread it to the edges of the ring. For the final layer, set bread round on top, butter side down.
Place an 8-ounce block of cream cheese in a bowl. Stir in milk or half and half until it is the consistency of frosting. Spread it around and on top of each minisandwich loaf. Garnish with parsley and set on individual plates.
Tip: If you have leftover ham from Easter, replace the chicken salad with a simple mixture of coarsely chopped ham, mayonnaise and mustard.
Write Donna with your questions and ideas at www.donnasday.com. Donna's latest book, "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families," is available in bookstores nationwide. © Donna Erickson, Dist. by King Features Syndicate