Treats with a Capital "T"

I recently received enlightenment on the subject of treats/Treats from my five year old grandson Tyler. I told Tyler we had a great treat for the day, being five, treat motivated and inquisitive he promptly inquired as to specifically what the treat might be. I excitedly exclaimed “watermelon!” Tyler responded that wasn’t a treat, when I begged to differ, he expounded “Nana Lou, a treat is sugar. Watermelon is fruit.” Ah, well, he did make a good point. With the wisdom of my favorite five year old firmly embedded in my brain, I started to ponder the notion that perhaps there are treats, and then there are “Treats.”

What, exactly, was the distinction? Obviously a subjective matter, but I’m inclined to think treats are things we love, that we don’t have every day, but they’re fairly easily accessible. Like, for example, a Coke flavored Icee on a hot summer day. Yep, that’s a treat. Oh, and then there are hot glazed Krispy Kreme dougnuts, absolutely a treat like no other. (If you’re reading this and have no idea what I’m talking about it or if you’ve heard of Krispy Kreme, but never had the experience, by all means, make yourself some travel plans that land you somewhere near a Krispy Kreme, wait for the hot light to come on, then proceed with reckless abandon.)

Forgive me, I digress (but for a good cause). Back to “Treats.” The “Treats with A Capital T” are things we love, but aren’t readily accessible. I would go so far as to say, they are things we love but don’t make for ourselves.

Let’s see, at the top of my list would have to be my sweet husband’s shrimp dip (we call this Stud Muffin Shrimp Dip in our house.) Way back when we first met I thought I didn’t like cold shrimp. He lovingly insisted I try his shrimp dip, assuring me I didn’t know what I was talking about and I would most certainly be a believer after trying his shrimp dip. I suppose it goes without saying that his shrimp dip was AMAZING. I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe! Definitely a “Treat.”

Also high on my “Treats” hit parade is my Mom’s meatloaf patties. Don’t get me wrong, Mom makes a killer meatloaf, but there’s something about that same thing in the pan fried format that takes it from treat to “Treat.” The ketchup caramelizes; the patties get all crispy on the outside, while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. Actually, it occurs to me, that this is a “Treat” within a “Treat,” because the next day there are meatloaf sandwiches. Meatloaf sandwiches, one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, but that’s another post for another day.

A “Treat” I only get once a year, but crave it all year long is my sister’s eggnog French toast. I love French toast pretty much any way, but consider Sister’s magical combination of thickly sliced challah bread dipped into a mixture eggnog, eggs, nutmeg (freshly grated, of course) and cinnamon. It’s decadent, delicious and destined for the “Treat” Hall Of Fame (if there is such a thing, if there isn’t, someone should start one.)

A little piece of heaven on earth in the “Treat” category is my friend Dixie’s caramel cake. A Southern classic to be sure, but Dixie does something to this cake that takes it to a level that other cooks only dream about. This is, without a doubt, the best caramel cake I have ever had in my life. Here’s the kicker, I’ve only had it once, but it still ranks at the very top of my “Treats” list. I’m not sure why, no matter how many hints I’ve dropped in the last ten years or so, she’s never made it for me again. (Dixie, if you’re reading this, this is not another hint for you to make another caramel cake, I’m just sharing information. However, if you do feel compelled to fire up the oven, who am I to stop you?!)

I can’t help myself, I have to ask. What are your favorite “Treats with a Capital T?”