Uncle Bud was very special to the family. He never married (he said he grew up with three older sisters telling him what to do, why would he add a wife to that?) but he loved his nephews and niece and spoiled them, and us as well when the next generation came along. I remember he always treated us like adults and made sure to include us in what was going on, which was usually an active game of mah jong.
He loved to travel and enjoy gourmet foods, but not in a snobby way. Uncle Bud wanted to share his interests with those close to him. He took his sisters around the world, and he always had special desserts for us when we came to visit. I will always have the memory of my mother sitting at the breakfast table, reading the morning paper, eating tiramisu straight out of a huge pan. Lara and I weren't too fond of tiramisu (not that Mom would have readily shared HER tiramisu) so Uncle Bud would make a batch of chocolate Bavarian creme for us and put it in fancy glasses. The fancy glasses were key to middle school girls; that's how I knew he put in extra effort just for us.
I guess the way to sum up Uncle Bud is with a memory of my Dad's memory: Years ago, somehow we got to talking about heights of the family (Grandpa was 6ft tall, Grandma is 5ft tall, and their children range everywhere in between), and Dad said Bud was six feet tall as well. We looked at him like he was crazy, because Uncle Bud is distinctly shorter than Grandpa, yet Dad insisted that Bud was tall. He took it so far as to call his mother and ask her how tall Uncle Bud was. She replied incredulously that he was maybe 5'6" or 5'8" ... definitely NOT 6'. I don't think Dad ever believed her; in his mind, his uncle was larger than life and had to be a giant in stature as well. :)
Mom and I just got back from the burial in Florida; it was just family as Bud wanted. A sad reason for everyone to gather, but a good time reminiscing and sharing memories. We ate, we laughed, we enjoyed each other's company -- Bud would have approved. So to share what he loved, here's some of his favorite recipes (not his exact ones, because he was always "tweaking" but these are recommended):
MILK-CHOCOLATE BAVARIAN CREAM
1/2 c. sugar
1 env. unflavored gelatin
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/4 c. milk
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 c. (6 oz.) milk-chocolate pieces (reserve a few for decoration)
1 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sweetened whipped cream for decoration
Blend sugar, gelatin, salt, milk, egg yolks and milk-chocolate pieces well in top of a double boiler. Cook over simmering water, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and chocolate pieces are completely melted and blended into the mixture. Chill until the mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. Whip the cream and vanilla together until stiff. Fold whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Spoon into an oiled 4 cup mold. Chill several hours or overnight before serving. Decorate with sweetened whipped cream and reserved chocolate pieces.
Makes 6 servings.
TIRAMISU
1 2/3 cup sugar
6 egg yolks
1 1/2 pkgs cream cheese (250 g. each)
1/2 litre (about 2 cups) whipped whipping cream
2 teaspoons Kahlua
2 pkgs lady fingers
espresso
shredded chocolate (to garnish)
Mix together sugar and egg yolks. Cut cream cheese into small pieces, and whip into sugar/egg yolk mixture. Add whipped whipping cream, and Kahlua with electric mixer. Use an entire mini bottle of Kahlua (less if you prefer).
Soak lady fingers in espresso, and line the bottom of a 9x13" pan with half of them. Spread 1/2 the cream cheese mixture over the top, and repeat layers until all mixture is used up.
Cover top of cheesecake with shredded chocolate. Refrigerate 4 - 6 hours, then serve.
For lower fat, substitute angel food cake for the lady fingers, and use low fat Cool Whip. Decaf coffee may be substituted for a caffeine-free version.
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