If you've ever read Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, you probably remember King Didd, who growled all spring when the rain came down, and all autumn when the fog came down, then summoned the Royal Magicians and said, "I wish to have you make something fall from my skies that no other kingdom has ever had before."

For a moment the Magicians stand, thinking, blinking their creaky eyes, then they speak: "Oobleck." "What's that?" asks the King. "Won't look like rain. Won't look like snow. Won't look like fog. That's all we know. We just can't tell you any more. We've never made oobleck before."

And if you remember the rest of the story, the oobleck the Magicians make turns out to be a disaster-- especially for one poor fellow who tries to eat it!-- and Bartholomew Cubbins has to save the day.

Well, nowadays, we all know what oobleck looks like. And because oobleck has always intrigued me, and I've always wondered what it tasted like myself, I've done some experimenting and discovered the magic recipe for Edible Oobleck. Now you can know what oobleck tastes like-- and I am happy to be able to tell you that tasting it won't turn out to be a disaster.

There are two ways to make Edible Oobleck:

1. Oobleck from Scratch:

½ Cup Lime or Lemon Juice
½ Cup Sugar
6 Tablespoons Cornstarch
2 Cups Cold Water
Green Food Coloring

Mix the cornstarch and sugar together, then add the juice and water. Stir over medium high heat until the mixture boils. (It's boiling when you can see it "roil" when you stop stirring for a moment.)

Allow the oobleck to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Add green food coloring (2 drops or so) and stir well. Cover the oobleck with plastic wrap, placing the wrap directly on the oobleck to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate.

2. Oobleck from a Mix:

Buy a box of instant Key Lime pie filling. Follow the directions, adding the sugar and the water, but DO NOT add the eggs. Cook as directed.

Cool the oobleck to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Add a drop or two of green food coloring if you like. Cover the oobleck with plastic wrap, placing the wrap directly on the oobleck to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate.

Eating Oobleck

Use the Oobleck as frosting, or filling, or pudding. It's excellent on Angel Food Cake, Cheesecake, and on Chocolate Brownies, believe it or not. Try decorating with Spearmint Leaf candy or green Gumdrops.

If you're looking for something gross, try adding jelly worms and jelly spiders to the oobleck.

And if you like icecream, try a Mad Oobleck Sundae,* as invented by yours truly. Icecream (my choice: boring old vanilla), topped with chocolate fudge, oobleck, whipped cream, a spearmint leaf and a cherry. Nuts, wet or dry, are optional. (Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.)

Use your imagination. Enjoy!