TV GUIDE CELEBRITY DISH

byline: Jeanne Wolf

Kids In The Kitchen: An Easy Recipe Children Can Make

"MMMM, IT'S WONDERFUL," says Meredith Deane, a poised and professional actress who's not too grown-up to stick her finger in a bowl of melted chocolate and give it a lick before she gets down to the business of creating a tasty snack.

Ten-year-old Deane may seem a little young to have what amounts to a full-time job, but she loves playing Sela Ward's daughter Zoe on ABC's popular new series 'Once and Again.' When she isn't on the set or studying, she gets a kick out of being in the kitchen.

A chocolate banana is exactly the kind of culinary challenge Deane looks forward to. "All you need is a stick, a bowl of chocolate and a paintbrush," she says, smiling. "You put half a banana on the stick, paint it with some of the chocolate and then roll it in sprinkles or nuts. Personally, I'd go without nuts. Maybe sprinkles, but no nuts."

Deane lives with her parents and younger brother and sister in new York, which means she spends a lot of time commuting from coast to coast. At home she admits to doing some serious cooking, under her mom's supervision. "I started out just pouring boiling water in those packages of instant mashed potatoes," she says, "then I got to scrambled eggs when I was about seven."

For an eager young cook like Deane, there's nothing like a visit with a very special tutor: "My grandmother has this big box full of recipes," she says. "Every time I go to her house, we make sugar cookies. We also do banana bread with sour cream. It's delicious."

Deane's favorite food is surprisingly sophisticated. "I love veal paillarde," she reveals. "I usually get it at a restaurant near our house." Another surprise? "I love garlic," Deane says. "I don't see why people think kids don't like it. It's one of my favorite seasonings. I'll try almost any food except artichokes and spinach."

Chocolate-Granola Banana Pops 4 servings

These pops are easy for kids to make, and the thin chocolate coating disguises the nutritiousness of the banana and granola. For almost instant gratification, they can be enjoyed after the chocolate sets (in 10 to 15 minutes), but they're a lot more challenging and fun to eat after the bananas have frozen overnight. What a great treat to have waiting after school, especially if your kids made it themselves.

2 large bananas
4 Popsicle sticks, candy sticks or blunt wooden chopsticks
1/2 cup granola (with dried fruit is fine)
8 ounces sweet dark chocolate

1. Peel bananas and cut in half cross-wise. Insert a stick halfway up center of each banana half; it may feel loose but will become secure after freezing overnight. Place on a plate in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to chill.
2. Meantime, place granola on a plate.
3. Melt chocolate; the best way for children to do this is in a microwave oven because it is safe and the bowl stays cool. Break chocolate into pieces in a wide, shallow, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 2 minutes. Chocolate will melt when stirred. If there are lumps, return to microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Dip bananas into melted chocolate, rolling them to coat. Use a pastry brush to "paint" any bare batches with chocolate. Roll in granola. Place back on plate and freeze until chocolate sets, 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap in plastic and freeze overnight or for up to 2 weeks.__TV Guide (March 2000)