Those Rice Krispie Squares

It's New Year's Eve day when we arrive for our special visit. I approach the kitchen wondering what is happening? Had I arrived to a podcast of “Making Rice Krispie Squares”?

Mom and dad were in the throes of this iconic, easy to follow recipe, with its modern day twist, tastier and healthier, too. Their two-year-old daughter was watching or directing. Hard to tell. A new approach involved more fat and less sweetener, a healthier fit 'cause fewer marshmallows were being incorporated.

Sugar is the nemesis in our diet, We all know it but can't escape it, at times. Why put more 'sugar' in this famous dessert than is necessary when a dollop of grass fed butter ups the taste and health factor. Organic rice cereal was being used. 

There are no rules covering baking just the will to improve when improvements make sense. Suddenly 'eyeballs' appeared, those necessary add-ins to these Rice Krispie creations. Of course, I thought, where have I been? My granddaughter needed just one more 'eyeball', she said. “Just one” 'they' replied, in unison.

I sat there on the kitchen island stool, watching this modern day discourse. And it wasn't even Hallowe'en.

Who decides to make Rice Krispie squares on New Year's Eve? They did. I was intrigued. “Would you like salami with that?”, her dad asked. “Really”? “Now what, salami?” Where did that come from? I looked at the clock. It was noon. We had arrived for lunch, I guess. I said nothing. I was simply soaking up the quiet, inquisitive exchange among the cast members of this curious family play.

Watching was more fun than questioning. It was magic on stage as the 'eyeballs' seemed to take center stage along with the salami. Then came a few questions. What was the brand of salami?. What kind of marshmallows? Some are made using pork gelatin. The Walmart brand being used had none. In this moment of learning, I wanted to know more.

Grandpa said nothing, hoping, however, that a few treats might come his way now and when we left. The biggest kid in the room was being indulged. He was, after all, his granddaughter's current favorite person. And Rice Krispie squares just happened to be there.