Vanilla Pods

Vanilla pods can be found in the spice section of the grocery store. Beware: they are a little expensive.

Ris Kreme (Almond Rice)

6 cups milk
2 cups rice
1 pod vanilla
1 almond
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream

Bring the milk to a boil, add the rice and cut up vanilla. Stir until the milk begins to boil again. Put a tight fitting lid on and let the rice simmer over a very low flame for 1 hour without touching it. Remove from heat and keep covered until ready to use. When completely cool add the sugar, the blanched almond and the stiffly whipped cream. It will be lumpy when cool but breaks apart when you add the sugar.

*To blanch an almond I put a cup of water in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Then place almond in water until skin becomes soft and can be slid off.

*I make half of this recipe for my family of young children.

German Chocolate Cake

Bake a German Cake as directed on box. I did two rounds.

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Cook butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla until thickened, about 12-15 minutes. Then add coconut and pecans. Stir until thick enough to spread.

Frosting the sides is difficult and I found that it requires a pat and hold technique to keep it on the sides. Maybe let the frosting cool a bit before frosting. I've also read that you should frost between layers and top. Frosting the sides is just for a pretty look, not part of the TRUE German Chocolate Cake.

You can save a ton of money if you buy the nuts and crack and chop them yourself.