NANAIMO BARS Nanaimo is a city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I*m not sure why this recipe is named as it is but I do know that it*s become a favourite in many households in this part of the world! Costco in BC even makes it - not sure about other Costco stores in other places but my niece, who grew up on Vancouver Island, has asked for it where she lives in Virginia and they have no idea what she*s referring to. So, for those who*d like to become as addicted to this dessert bar as those of us in BC, here*s my Mom*s recipe from the early 1950*s. It*s a bit fussy but REALLY worth the effort! Enjoy! 1. Base: 1/2 c butter (not margarine) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 c sugar (no substitutes) 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 egg 2 c crushed graham crackers (or crumbs) 1 c coconut 1/2 c chopped walnuts Mix together first 5 ingredients and cook over hot water in double boiler. When melted, add the last 3 items. Pat into 8" x 8" greased pan. Let cool. 2. Icing: 1/4 c butter 2 c icing sugar 2 Tbsp custard powder (try Bird*s Custard Powder) milk to make spreadable Cream butter, add icing sugar & custard powder then enough milk to make spreadable consistency (fairly thick). Spread over cooled base mixture. 3. Topping: 3 squares dark chocolate (baking style) 1 tsp butter Melt together and spread over cooled icing layer. NOTE: You might want to double this and make it in a 9" x 13" pan...and you probably want to make two of them at the same time as this freezes well. Enjoy! Note from publisher: According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo housewife entered her recipe for chocolate squares in a magazine contest. In a burst of civic pride, she chose to dub the entry not "Daphne*s Delights" or "Mary*s Munchies", but "Nanaimo Bars". The entry won a prize, thereby publishing the town as much as her cooking. Some American tourists claim sovereignty over the dessert, referred to as "New York Slice" which is sold in many other places in the world. Nanaimo residents refuse to accept this theory, however, believing that once you set foot on Vancouver Island, there are no other places in the world. The official Nanaimo Bar recipe was available as a handout as well as on quality tea towel and apron souvenirs. In 1986, Nanaimo Mayor Graeme Roberts, in conjunction with Harbour Park Mall, initiated a contest to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar Recipe. During the four-week long contest, almost 100 different variations of the famous confectionery were submitted. The winner: Joyce Hardcastle. Amazingly, this recipe used by Joan*s Mom closely resembles Joyce*s recipe!
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, "From my home to yours"~ MerryChristmas~ Angelique~ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
