Hi everyone! You guys ready for some tastiness?
Today, I want to tell you guys a story. About seven years ago, I met my boyfriend Alex. He was working at our local Blockbuster at the time and I went in there constantly just to get a look at him. Can you believe I was actually shy at some point in my life? Yeah, really not that far of a stretch. I'm still a little shy to this day. Anyway, I would go into Blockbuster probably about three to four times a week. Nothing says I love you like a little stalking, right? One day, I went in the early afternoon, there was no one in the store but me and him. Two minutes after I walked into the door he approached me and started recommending movies. Me, of course being the shy person that I am, just smiled, nodded, and blushed like a fiend. I knew he was a very confidant person. It was one of the many reasons why I was attracted to him. So, as he was talking to me, I thought to myself that there was no way a guy like this would ever go for a shy quiet girl like me. Then, he asked me for my email address. He said he would ask for my number but that was against company policy. However, asking for my email wasn't even mentioned in Blockbuster's employee conduct book. Who knew?
(Alex is sad I'm making him wear those pumpkin Mickey ears.)
I was totally beyond shocked when this happened. And I'm gonna be totally honest with you, I really don't remember what happened after that. I vaguely remember Alex checking out my movie for me and me writing down my email address. Beyond that...nada. I can't even remember what I rented. Anyway, this led to our first date. We went to Carrabba's. I was sooo nervous and I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu like I always do (or did) for every first date. I hate being THAT girl. You know the one. She always orders the most expensive thing on the menu simply because she can since she isn't paying. Yeah, I'm totally not THAT girl. However, I did want some Tiramisu pretty badly, but I'm not THAT girl so I didn't ask. Our first date was great. No, our first date was AWESOME! I can spend all day going into the details, but I don't want to bore you. Instead, I want to share with you my recipe for Tiramisu.
Yeah, this baby is awesome. But just to warn you it is time consuming. It's much better than any kind you can get at an Italian restaurant, but takes way longer to make. Sometimes it's just easier to get it at a restaurant, but where is the fun in that.
Just for the record, when Alex and I go to Carrabba's now and I want Tiramisu, I order the damn Tiramisu.
Ingredients:
For the Zabaglione:
5 egg yolks from large grade eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Kahula (you can also use Marsala wine, Brandy, or any dark rum)
For the Tiramisu:
1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
4 tablespoons sugar
1 lb (16oz) Mascarpone cheese (if unavailable substitute two packages of 8oz cream cheese combined with 1/2 cup whipping cream and 5 tablespoons sour cream)
1 recipe for Zabaglione
2 cups (16oz) freshly brewed espresso or VERY strong coffee (Or if you are like me and don't own a espresso machine OR a coffee maker just grab a grande americano with 2 extra shots from Starbucks)
1/2 cup Kahula (or Marsala wine, Brandy, or any other dark rum)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 7oz packages of Alessi Savoiardi Cookies (Ladyfingers)
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
Chocolate curls or edible flowers for garnish (Optional. I always opt out of this because the cocoa on top is plenty of garnish for me. Adding this stuff seems like over kill. But to each his own.)
Directions:
For the Zabaglione:
1. In the top part of a double boiler place eggs and sugar together. If you don't own a double boiler find a mixing bowl that will sit over a medium saucepan without it touching the bottom. Fill the saucepan half way with water.
2. Beat eggs and sugar together until the mixture is pale yellow in color. In the bottom part of your double boiler bring your water to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Place your top part of your double boiler (or your mixing bowl) over the water and gradually add Kahula beating continuously. Scrape the bottom and the sides of the pan occasionally and cook 6 - 10 minutes or until soft mounds can be formed. Transfer to a boil if you have a double boiler and cover. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until you are ready to use.
For the Tiramisu:
1. Whip the heavy whipping cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. This is also how you make homemade cool whip. It's soooo much better than the store bought kind. Just try a taste.
3.In a separate bowl, mix together espresso, 2 tablespoons sugar, Kahula, and vanilla.
4. Arrange about 16 cookies on the bottom of a 9X13 pan.
5. Carefully spoon about 1 tablespoon of the coffee mixture over each cookie so they are well saturated but not falling apart. Falling apart is bad!
6. Spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the cookies.
7. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the cocoa over the cheese mixture using a mesh strainer. Use more cocoa if 1 tablespoon isn't enough.
Garnish and serve. Voila! Couple of things though. This does serve about 12 people. However, you'll want to eat this little treat within one to two days or you'll have a soupy mess on your hands. Hope you enjoy!
Ooh I love tiramisu! This sounds similar to my mom's recipe =)
ReplyDeleteI love tiramisu too! I found that if you are going for authentic tiramisu that the recipes tend to be similar. But I bet your mom's tiramisu is amazing!
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