So I almost forgot what today was.

No, that's not true. I was ready for today all week. Even had it written in my calendar with a cupcake and birthday candle. But it wasn't my first thought when I woke up. It hit me as I was putting on a second layer as I was feeling chilled. I have been feeling under the weather and as a hypochondriac, my Dad was always offering remedies, so I was wondering what he might recommend for me. I paused realizing there are going to be a million more days like this where I want to ask a question and instead I will have to go through my catalogue of memories to get my answer.

The only photo I have of my dad, brother and I in the last ten years.

Last year I saw my dad a few days after his birthday, since Andrew and I went down for the Holiday. I headed to my Dads earlier on Thanksgiving day, knowing he would have plans to go to his friends and I wanted him to have a dessert to take to them. I walked through the door with two zucchini bread loafs and a pie I made the night prior. Instead of taking them to the party he said he would keep them since, "they will already have enough dessert selections". So typical of him. The next day my dad had already eaten one loaf and had gone through half the pie. My dad had the philosophy not to let food sit too long as it would get old. If my mom bought a cake, we would go to bed knowing we should have enough to last us a few days. But, it was not uncommon for us to wake up searching for the cake to eat for breakfast and find that it was all gone, eaten in less than 7 hours by my dad (6 of which he was probably sleeping). I blame him for being greedy with my food. Today my father would have been a ripe 63 and I hope he had all the dessert his heart could desire.

So, this is the perfect segue into a dessert recipe (dessert...death...yeah, I agree perfect, I mean they do have the letter d, e & t in common).

Moo-less Chocolate Pie (Andrew's favorite coming from Alton Brown)

While my Dad probably never touched tofu in his life, he loved chocolate and I promise you will love it to. Just don't think about the tofu.

FILLING INGREDIENTS:

13oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (read the back of the bag to check for dairy)
1/3 cup Coffee Liquor (Kaluha works well)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 package of Tofu, drained
1 tablespoon Honey

PIE CRUST INGREDIENTS

1 cup of Walnuts
1/2 cup of Dates
1 cup of shredded Coconuts

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fill a small pot with water in which you can rest a metal bowl over so it heats it. Make sure that the bowl does not actually sit in the water but is an inch above it. Turn on the heat to high to warm up.
Have your bag of chocolate, your Kaluha and vanilla extract ready to put in the bowl once the water starts to boil. Stir with a spatula while the chocolate melts.
While you are waiting grab your blender and put in the drained tofu (drain the liquid into the sink) and honey. Once the chocolate is melted, add the mixture in and blend until creamy. About a minute.
With your filling done, grab the food processor and throw in your walnuts, shredded coconuts and blend. After 30 seconds add the dates. Make sure you let them spin until they are in small crumbly like bits. You will want to transfer this into your pie pan. Using your fingers press the mixture into the pan so it creates a thin layer.
Once you crust is set pour the chocolate mixture over and using the spatula spread it evenly.
BOOM you are done. Stick it in the fridge and let it harden...give it 2-3 hours.

Delicious toppings...anything duh!

But I like strawberries, raspberries and coconut whipped cream, you know in case you wanted to surprise me the next time I visit.