Treats Day

Quiz Time: If you’re not eating out at a restaurant, and you’re not ordering in at home, then where are you eating? Answer Time: At work, of course. And while most of the time that still probably falls into the “I’m eating out” or “I’m eating food I brought from home” categories, sometimes it falls under the category of “Treats Day.”

That “sometime” is today.

Treats Day is something I’ve been doing at my place of work since 1991. And while the place where I work changes from time to time, Treats Day is a constant. I can count on a three-fingered hand how many years I’ve not had one. It’s typically the highlight of the entire work year.

I never talk about work itself on this blog because that’s not what I’m here for. I will say that I work in the video game industry, specifically in the field of MMOs, and I’ll also say that I work with a great group of people. (And I’m not just saying that because I know you’re all reading this. I’m saying this because I want you all to buy me lots of Christmas presents.)

While the name of the day implies piles and piles of cookies, the true beauty of Treats Day is that it actually contains food. I’m a big fan of the crockpottery, like meatballs, weenie winks, and gloop (see below). I also love cold cuts, cheeses, and sandwich/cracker fixins. Bringing Chex Mix is, of course, a huge hit with me. And, if I have to, I’ll eat some cookies. But it’s not the reason I’m there.

The Gloop recipe comes from Stephanie. She was there back in 1991 when Treats Day was founded. For the last few years, I’ve stolen her Gloop recipe and it’s always one of the first things we run out of, even in the morning. For some reason, however, every single year I forget the stupid recipe and have to ask her about it all over again. Fortunately, gmail saves my correspondences and I found last year’s request, still intact, bit for bit. I wrote:

Here’s what I remember. Correct me if I’m wrong:

1 lb of ground beef, browned
1 can of salsa
1 pint of heavy cream
1 pint of fresh strawberries
1/2 cup of salt
3/4 cup of fresh ground pepper
2 eggs
1/2 quart of rum
1 sm. package of gum drops
4 strips of bacon
Flour to taste

Put in a crock pot and heat for twelve hours. Serve over fresh rice cakes.

Oddly enough, I got it wrong. For those of you who want to try the real Gloop dip, here you go, in Stephanie’s own hand:

1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 pkg Taco Season make like the package tells you with the above ground beef (I like Oretega Hot and Spicy)
1 Jar Newman’s HOT Salsa
1 tub cream cheese
1 Jar Tostidos Con Queso Cheese Dip

Serve with Scoops, cuz this dip really NEEDS a Scoop!

Give it a try at your next party and I guarantee you’ll be a big hit. Just tell them, “I got this from Charlie. He’s awesome. And go buy his awesome book.” If for some reason they don’t like it, just tell them, “This is Stephanie’s recipe. I don’t know what the hell happened.”