chocolate eclair torte

Let me tell you ’bout a girl I know

She is my baby and she lives next door

Every mornin’ ‘fore the sun comes up

She brings me coffee in my favorite cup

That’s why I know, yes, I know

Hallelujah, I just love her so

“Hallelujah I Love Her So” by Ray Charles

This dessert is a favorite of the Hemauer children, my mom hates it because she thinks it’s trashy. I don’t use all of the pudding mix, I discard (eat) about ½ cup because if you use all of it it is not the right proportion.

Ingredients:

Graham crackers (About 14 rectangles, divided)
2 large packages instant vanilla pudding
3 cups whole milk
1 1/2 sticks of butter
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Ghiradeli)
5 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 unpacked cups of powdered sugar, sifted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix pudding and milk, discard about ½ cup of the mixture, set aside
2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat, mix in cocoa powder and water
3. Remove butter mix from heat stir in vanilla extract and powdered sugar
4. Place half of the graham crackers at the bottom of a 9×13 dish
5. Spread half of the pudding mix over graham crackers
6. Layer with the rest of the graham crackers
7. Spread the remaining pudding over the crackers
8. Evenly pour the chocolate mixture over the top of the pudding
9. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours

If there is anyone out there that reads this blog and has Wisconsin roots, I would love your recipes and suggestions.

Some previous posts on food from my favorite state:

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Bratwurst, cooking

Bratwurst, making

Cheese curds

Egg roll, Wisconsin style

Potatoes, Escalloped with ham

Potato Salad, German

Sauerkraut

Summer sausage

Torte, Chocolate Eclair

Torte, Poppy Seed

thai red curry with vegetables

And all I see is little dots

Some are smeared and some are spots

Feels like a murder but that’s alright

Somebody said there’s too much light

Pull down the shade and it’s alright

It’ll be over in a minute or two

“Drugs” by Talking Heads

Use whatever vegetables that are in season, I would not skip the dried shitakes, they really make the dish.

Adapted from food.com

Ingredients:

1 green pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 red pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
½ white onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
.5 oz dried shitake mushroom caps, reconstituted in hot water for 20 minutes
2 small zucchini, cut into ½ inch coins
1 small eggplant, cut into ½ pieces
1 cup green beans
1 lime, juiced
1 can coconut milk
1 cans worth of water
3 tablespoons red curry paste
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce
¼ cup fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
Cashews, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large pot, whisk together lime, coconut milk, water, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce, bring to a boil, then lower to a strong simmer
2. Allow mixture to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes
3. Add cilantro and vegetables, simmer for 20 minutes
4. Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro and cashews

wisconsin style egg rolls

Oh Woman, oh woman, don’t treat me so mean,

You’re the meanest old woman that I’ve ever seen

I guess if you say so

I have to pack my things and go

“Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles

I made these yesterday to celebrate the Packers making it into the superbowl.  Sorry about the crappy photo, blame it on my iPhone.

Ingredients:

5 uncooked bratwurst, removed from casing
5 oz. shredded swiss cheese
16 0z. sauerkraut, drained and squeezed of excess juice
1 tablespoon sriracha
24 egg roll wrappers
Oil for frying

Directions:

1. Cook bratwurst meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, making sure to break up any large chunks of meat
2. Remove from heat, place in a large bowl, let cool
3. Add swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and sriracha
4. Wrap about 2-3 tablespoons of filling into wrappers and roll, making sure to seal edges with water
5. Fry in 375 F oil until golden brown
6. Serve with ketchup and mustard

If there is anyone out there that reads this blog and has Wisconsin roots, I would love your recipes and suggestions.

Some previous posts on food from my favorite state:

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Bratwurst, cooking

Bratwurst, making

Cheese curds

Egg roll, Wisconsin style

Potatoes, Escalloped with ham

Potato Salad, German

Sauerkraut

Summer sausage

Torte, Poppy Seed