The Legendary Nanaimo Bar

According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo, British Columbia (see map below) 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.

Nanaimo Bar Recipe

• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 5 tbsp. cocoa
  1 egg beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups graham wafer crumbs
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds

Melt 1/2 cup butter in top of double boiler. Stir in granulated sugar, cocoa, egg, and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly over simmering water for about 3 minutes or until thick and custard like. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 9" x 9" x 2" pan.

In a medium size bowl blend powdered (icing) sugar with 3 tablespoons of butter. Beat in dry jello pudding mix and mil until thick and smooth. Spread over first layer. Let stand for 20 minutes in fridge.

Third Layer

• 6 squares semi-sweet chocolate
• 1-2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter on top of double boiler over simmering water. Cool. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

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For those of you that have stared at my name "Farquhar" (pronounced Far'ker) and wondered what kind of a name it is I'm here to end the mystery. Farquhar, (and Heather) is a Scottish name. Quite a common name in Scotland actually although there are variations such as Farquharson, McFarquhar and McFarquharson. So, in honor of my heritage I am going to post a recipe from Scotland, no don't worry it is not haggis. The newest thing out of Scotland is the deep fried Mars bar (Snickers bar works too) and boy is it good. Try it and let me know what you think.

Deep Fried Mars Bar

• One Mars or Milky Way bar
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup corn flour
• 1 pinch baking soda
• Milk
• Oil for frying

1. Chill the chocolate bar in the fridge (not freezer)
2. Mix the flour and baking soda together
3. Add milk until you get a batter with the consistency of thin cream
4. Heat the oil until a small piece of bread will brown in a few seconds but don't allow to smoke
5. Remove wrapper from chilled chocolate bar and coat bar completely with batter.
6. CAREFULLY lower batter covered bar in hot oil and fry until golden brown
7. Serve with ice cream

Latkes are traditionally eaten during the Jewish Hanukkah festival (Festival of Lights). The oil for cooking the latkes is reminiscent of the oil from the Hanukkah story. At the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of Antiochus IV there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the time it took to  prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

Ingredients

2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
1 tablespoon grated onion
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup peanut oil

Place the potatoes in a cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much moisture as possible. 
In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together. 
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Let drain on paper towels. Serve hot!

The Legendary Nanaimo Bar

According to local legend about 35 years ago, a Nanaimo, British Columbia (see map below) 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.

This is my Mom's recipe. Send An E-mail  Let me know what you think. Or, send me a recipe that you would like to see featured on this site.

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