As a child, my favorite pastime was to create outrageous concoctions. I used to love mixing anything and everything to make whatever I could think of.
I am sure that many of you in your “mature” state of adulthood have indulged in mixing a bit of everything that Danforth has to offer, be it chocolate milk with chicken patties or spaghetti with cake ice cream.
In any case, I’m sure the end result was not as appetizing as you thought it would be.
Unfortunately, when I was younger, Danforth was not an option. I was to eat whatever I was given. I’m sure all of you have had a bad “vegetable experience” here and there ? we all did.
I remember being forced to sit at the table until every last sprout of broccoli was chewed and swallowed.
The dog became my best friend and my saving grace, sitting by my side at every meal.
“I don’t want him to be lonely,” I proclaimed to my parents as I fed unfinished lima beans and brussels sprouts endlessly under the table.
For all my courageous efforts in ridding my plate of the unwanted vegetables, I received a big slice of pie. The type of pie varied depending on the season ? however, it was always to my liking.
But my absolute favorite was Mississippi Mud Pie. I devoured the entire slice before anyone had even had a chance to stick a fork in theirs.
I remained at the table hoping to receive another slice, but was sent away with an empty plate in hand.
The next day my experimental nature got the best of me and I felt the sudden urge to recreate my mother’s chocolaty masterpiece.
Using the backyard as my kitchen, I roamed around looking for anything that resembled chocolate and that could be made into a pie.
I happened to stumble upon a small mound of dirt and was suddenly struck with inspiration. I ran into the kitchen and stole one of my mother’s pie tins and a bowl.
Outside I proceeded to mix small amounts of dirt with large quantities of water until my muddy creation was complete. Filling the pie tin with mud, I went into the kitchen and placed it on the counter to be served for dinner that very night.
The end result, let’s say, was not pretty. I was not allowed to have any pie for the next month.
However, since I came to college, I happened to stumble upon a great recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie.
To take you all back to my childhood, here is that great recipe. So if you ever get the urge to reminisce about your childhood, or just want a slice of pie, try this recipe. I guarantee you it is better than the “real” thing.
Cusimano can be reached at ccusimano@campustimes.org.
Mississippi Mud Pie
You need:?1 cup of chopped walnuts?1/2 cup of all-purpose flour?1/2 cup of butter?6 oz. of instant chocolate pudding mix?2 cups of cold milk?8 oz. of cream cheese?1 cup of confectioner’s sugar?1/2 cup of whipped cream
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the walnuts and flour. Stir in the softened butter or margarine until the ingredients form a ball. Press the ball into the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan and bake for twenty minutes, until golden brown. Then remove and let cool. Next, place the pudding mix in a medium bowl and whisk in milk. Mix until smooth and allow to set five minutes. Spread the mixture on top of the cooled crust. Whip the cream cheese. Beat in the confectioner’s sugar until the mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the whipped cream until soft peaks form and then fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread this over the pudding layer and you’re done. Make sure you chill the pie before it is served.
