Quick Nachos

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to reader Patricia Didden for this cautionary tale:

Alice was to bake a cake for the church ladies' group bake sale, but
she forgot to do it until the last minute. She baked an angel food
cake and when she took it from the oven, the center had dropped flat.
She said, "Oh dear, there's no time to bake another cake." So, she
looked around the house for something to build up the center of the
cake. Alice found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She
plunked it in and covered it with icing. The finished product looked
beautiful, so she rushed it to the church.

Alice then gave her daughter some money and instructions to be at the
sale the minute it opened and to buy that cake and bring it home.
When the daughter arrived at the sale, the attractive cake had already
been sold. Alice was beside herself.

A couple of days later, Alice was invited to a friend's home where two
tables of bridge were to be played that afternoon. After the game a
fancy lunch was served, and to top it off, the cake in question was
presented for dessert. Alice saw the cake, she started to get out of
her chair to rush into the kitchen to tell her hostess all about it,
but before she could get to her feet, one of the other ladies said,
"What a beautiful cake!"

Alice sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (a prominent
church member) say, "Thank you. I baked it myself."

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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There is really nothing complicated about making nachos, but using
canned ingredients makes it easy to keep them on hand so you can
whip up a platter nachos on short notice.

Quick Nachos

Corn chips
Canned beans (black, pinto, or kidney), rinsed and
thoroughly drained, or canned chile con carne
Prepared salsa
Chopped jalapeno peppers, pickled or fresh
Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream
Chopped scallions (spring onions)
Sliced black olives (optional)

Arrange the corn chips on a heatproof platter and top with the beans,
salsa, jalapenos, and cheese. Bake in a preheated 350F (180C) oven
until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes, or in the microwave oven for
30 to 60 seconds. Top with dollops of sour cream and sprinkle with
chopped scallions and sliced olives if desired. Serve immediately.
Received on Tue Dec 28 10:23:57 2004