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As well as the variety of nightlife available in Nanaimo, perfect for when you are on the deck of your yacht, having a few drinks with your friends, and the rum runs out. There is a different kind of bar which you must check out whilst in Nanaimo.
This bar is a decadent, creamy, chocolatey indulgence certainly not for the faint of heart. The bar originated in Nanaimo itself – hence the name! It dates back to the early fifties in the Edith Adams cookbook (14th edition) although there was some controversy when someone claimed it was published in a newspaper earlier under a different name such as chocolate slice, or fridge cake. Who knew baking could be so catty?
It has since appeared in numerous cookbooks across the globe in its various forms. It seems to be a favorite among the ladies – so gentleman, why not try making your own version to impress the lovely lady in your life? It couldn’t be more simple…
It consists of all of the main ingredients of chocolate based puddings but for an extra twist in the first layer you add coconut, almonds, and wafer crumbs (it’s a little messy to eat so make sure you pack the napkins!). The second layer is the custard part, with a little vanilla twist too. The third layer tops it off with more chocolatey goodness – definitely one for the coco addicts among us!
The best thing about the bar is that it requires no baking – so perfect for whipping up as an after dinner treat whilst on board. You can also add in whatever kind of flavors your heart desires. Some people add a little minty freshness, maybe a slathering of peanut butter, or a little caffeine hit of coffee to make your bar mocha.
There have been competitions across the area to see who can come up with the recipe. One contest that continued for a long four weeks saw over 100 different variations of the famous treat. The winner of this contest was Joyce Hardcastle and you can find her special recipe for the Nanaimo bar here – just in case you want to cook up your own batch on board the yacht.
The Nanaimo bar is one example of the rich food culture of Vancouver. It is very much a food loving city. Vancouverites get very excited by the famous Nanaimo bar, but there are lots of other delicious delicacies that are well known in the region. Prawns, steak, fresh tomatoes, or something a little more exotic like a ramen are also all very popular choices.
The West Coast is most famous for its ample selection of seafood. Here you can find mussels, oysters, and wild salmon if you find yourself venturing west on the yacht. Prawns, crab and many more varieties of locally-caught seafood are always on the menu. You can find some great eats in the finest restaurants to the street food trucks.
Another great thing about Vancouver food culture is that they are all about sustainability. They really care where their ingredients come from, and this means that many menus cite where their stock came from right down to the fisherman’s boat or the farm. Look for the Ocean Wise symbol whenever you are ordering. Vegetables and meat are also locally sourced which is good for the planet and the economy.
As well as the local Vancouver food, you can find a stunning array of multi-cultural dishes to tantalise your taste buds. From Japanese to Belgian, French to Peruvian – you will certainly never get bored when filling up in Vancouver and Nanaimo. The beauty of travelling by yacht is you can travel in one of the most luxurious and relaxing ways possible, with some of the world’s most breath-taking scenery to feast your eyes on too when searching for the next feast to feed your stomach.
If the sweet treat kind of bar doesn’t take your fancy and you find yourself wondering – why is the rum always gone? Well you are in luck, as if you are moored in Nanaimo there is no shortage of late night entertainment venues to keep you going until the small hours. There is the Casino, the Entertainment Centre, The Queens, The Spice Lounge, The Diners Rendevouz, Club 241 and many more!
One thing is certain however, if you are yachting in Nanaimo you simply must try a bite of the legendary Nanaimo bar. It’s chocolatey goodness will overwhelm the senses and is sure to leave a taste of Nanaimo that you will never forget.
