Do you have certain restaurant meals or processed foods you enjoyed in your childhood that now live rent-free in your brain?

I have two: Jell-O pudding pops and Arby’s roast beef subs.

Jell-O pudding pops had that thin, icy shell atop a smooth, creamy vanilla or chocolate interior (if you know, you know). I have tried at least a half-dozen recipes in the last few decades and have never come close to duplicating that texture.

For that matter, I don’t know why they were discontinued. Most children of the ’80s remember them fondly. Surely, if we can bring back ’80s Strawberry Shortcake and make Smurf movies, we can have a revitalization of Jell-O pudding pops, right?

But alas, it seems not to be so.

My second obsession is a little more obscure.

I have a distinct memory of being out with my friend Elizabeth. Her dad, Dr. Davis, picked us up subs from Arby’s. He knew Elizabeth loved their roast beef subs and ordered one for me, too.

I must admit I was dubious.

A picky eater at the time, I usually avoided sauces and many toppings. To say I was nonplussed by his kindness would be an understatement.

However, I was also hungry, and hunger won out, as it so often does.

I’m glad, too, because the sauce on that sub is not one I would have tried on my own, but it made the entire sandwich absolutely irresistible.

A little tangy, a little creamy and a little cheesy: it was everything I loved.

I ordered one of those subs from then on every time I had the good luck of going to Arby’s — until one day, those subs were discontinued.

So, of course, I’ve been thinking about them for 35 years, as one does.

I looked online and found there are definitely other weirdos out there who, like me, remember those subs fondly. Many folks were on the hunt for the sauce recipe.

I finally found one: Someone had posted a screenshot of a recipe for that sub sauce on an ages-old message board.

I was a little dubious, but I also had all the ingredients on hand. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

So, dear readers, I tried it.

And it was divine.

Is it 100% accurate to the sauce of my childhood? I do not know. But it’s definitely close enough to make me want to drink the stuff.

I know you may not remember the Arby’s subs of old, but if you like a good loaded sub – or, for that matter, if you want to try a new salad dressing or dipping sauce – try this one.

COPYCAT ARBY’S ALL-PURPOSE SAUCE

Ingredients:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (I used the green-can type)
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, parsley and thyme)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1/4 cup neutral cooking oil or olive oil (optional)

Instructions:
■ Combine all ingredients except oil in a bowl or large jar with a tight-fitting lid.
■ Whisk or shake to combine.
■ If you want a thinner sauce, add oil as desired (be aware the sauce will thicken upon standing).
■ Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours for best flavor. Use as a sandwich spread, salad dressing or dipping sauce.

Amelia Plair is a mom and high school teacher in Starkville. Email reaches her at [email protected].

Amelia Plair is a Starkville resident who writes occasional food columns.

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