14. An Apple a Day...With Vanilla Sauce, Of Course

I never thought I would ever see one of these menus.  I simply marvel at the internet.  Everything I never knew I needed with just a click of the mouse is right here in front of me.  When I was in junior high at good old Fremont Junior High School in Pomona, CA, F.W. Woolworth was right down on Second St.  A good friend of my mom's worked at the lunch counter.  Our mom would sometimes take my sister, Becky, and I to have lunch there on Saturday.  I guess we must have eaten lunch, but all I remember is the huge apple dumplings with the hot vanilla sauce.  It wasn't on the menu.  You had to have the inside information.  Only those in the know could experience this delight. They were the most heavenly thing you can imagine.  On one particular Saturday, my mom turned to me and said let's go home and practice until we can make this sauce.  Even my mom's friend didn't know the recipe.  The boss made it when no one was around.  He could have just opened a can, but I doubt it.

With the taste still on our lips we hurried home and got busy.  It didn't take too many tries before she had it just about perfect.  Now, my mom made just about the best pie crust this side of the Rockies, so the crust and the apple dumplings were a snap.  What a sublime feeling that was...hot apple dumplings with equally hot vanilla sauce right there and it didn't have to be Saturday.  Bob doesn't see the point of the sauce and wants his plain, the purist that he is.  But then he didn't sit on that stool at the lunch counter in F.W. Woolworth Co. on those Saturday lunches with my little sister and my mom or that Saturday that we hatched our plan to conquer the vanilla sauce, now did he.

Many years later I went to lunch with some girls friends at the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo, Ca.  They all ordered salads and sandwiches.  When it came my turn to order, I laid down my menu and announced that I was having the "Apple Dumpling with White Sauce, if you please."  All eyes were on me in horror.  I think that deep down they were all sorry that they didn't have the courage to break such tradition!  I don't think I have ever enjoyed such a lunch.  It was absolutely wonderful.  I closed my eyes and my sister was on one side and my mom was on the other and the apple dumpling was AMAZING. 

Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Sauce

Simpler than from scratch
pre-made pie crust
can of apple pie mix

Cut crust in large circles, big enough to mash down into cupcake pan.
Fill with apple pie mix.  Bake at 375 until crust is cooked and apples are bubbly.
Probably 20 minutes or so.

Even easier: buy Trader Joe's Apple Blossoms.  They come 4 to a box and cook in 4 minutes in the microwave and are fabulous.

Now for the Vanilla Sauce!
1/2 c.sugar                 2.c.milk
1/4 tsp. salt                1 tsp. vanilla
2 T. corn starch
1 egg
Combine corn starch, salt and sugar stir until blended.
Stir in milk and whisk until smooth and dissolved.
Cook over medium heat stirring as with pudding.  When
thick and bubbly remove from heat.
Beat egg in a bowl and add Tablespoon of pudding to the egg stirring as you do.
This tempers the egg so it doesn't scramble when you add to the pan.
Add the egg and vanilla to the hot sauce and continue stirring until smooth and thick.

You won't be sorry...not one little bit!   Notice that the menu has not one mention of a cheese burger and
fries and it's all in English!  Imagine that!