Something Glorious for My Victorious Pakistan - PCT Nanaimo Bars

And a good day to everyone, and I bet that if you're a Pakistan fan like I am that you're still just about jumping out of your skin for joy!  That's right, jumping for joy because my lovely lads on the Pakistan cricket team had a bashingly beautiful victory over the New Zealanders yesterday in their 3rd ODI.

Just look at these glorious facts from the match.  Mohammed Hafeez, Man of the Match, belted out a delicious 115 runs and furthermore anchored the batting line-up so that Shahid Afridi could Boom Boom his way to the quickest half-century ever scored in an ODI (or it may be a tie with someone else, but hey, he was on FIRE yesterday).  Honourable mentions must also go to Umar Akmal for his batting and tremendous catches; Ahmed Shehzad for his near impossible, death-defying catch (Guptill), Umar Gul for his tidy bowling and Sohail Tanvir for his crazy "pankha" style wrong'un.

Every man on the team brought his can of whoop-ass and showed the kiwis how things are done in Pakistan.  My lovely lads showed us all who's boss and I loved every minute of it.  Therefore, in order to show my appreciation for their fine match, I'd like to dedicate Vancouver Island's most famous dessert specialty to them:  My glorious chaps, here is:  drum roll please!
               
The Pakistan Cricket Team's Nanaimo Bar of Victory

He's so happy about this!!

Ok, here comes the lecture bit.  As you know, I grew up very close to the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada.  Our world-famous sweet is the Nanaimo Bar, a treat invented during the coal-mining days which is still incredibly popular.  This rich, three-layered dessert is difficult to prepare but worthwhile making on grand occasions and for grand people.  So come on, let's make this ASAP because our favourite team is waiting for it and they deserve it!  Pakistan Zindabad!

Ingredients

Bottom layer
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 3/4 cups crushed graham wafers or maria biscuits
1/2 cup nuts
3/4 cup dried and shredded coconut

Filling
1/4 cup butter
2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
2 tablespoons custard powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Top Layer
115 grms semi-sweet chocolate
1 tablespoon butter

Bottom Layer 
In a pot, melt butter on low heat, stir in sugar, cocoa powder, and gradually add the beaten egg.
Cook 1-2 minutes on low heat, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Add vanilla, crushed graham wafers, coconut and nuts.  Press HARD into a square baking pan or flat glass dish.  Refrigerate 1 hour.

Middle Layer
In a bowl, cream the butter, and add the milk or cream, custard powder, vanilla and sugar.  Add more milk if necessary, the mix should be smooth and spreadable.
Spread over the bottom layer and refrigerate 1/2 hour.

Top Layer:
In a small pot, melt the chocolate and butter over very low heat.
Spread on top of the middle layer.
Refrigerate 1/2 hour

Cut into small bars, and serve with coffee or tea.

And there you go, my lovely lads, a sweet treat for a sweet victory!  Repeat that performance at the next match, and let's see you win this series, then dominate the entire planet at the World Cup!  YES!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

Happy Cooking, Happy PCT Nanaimo Bar!