Tiramisu :)

A few weeks ago, while working at the Farmers Market for a friend of ours, I (Christina) decided to run into the health food store that was nearby. While browsing the many interesting foods, I came across a cheese that I have been looking for, for a long time-- mascarpone cheese. Why would I want this cheese, you might ask. Because after tasting Tiramisu several years ago, I have been longing to make it myself! (and by the way, Tiramisu with cream cheese is just not the same).

So I went home (after purchasing the cheese, of course!), and searched for a recipe, and that Friday I made Tiramisu-- and as one the recipes said I would, I metaphorically "fell in love" with it. Since I couldn't decide what recipe to use, I will be sharing a combination of the recipies I used. (and I made the ladyfingers too-- yummmmy!;)

Ladyfingers: (I made these the night before)

Yield: approx 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS:
*2 Tablespoons butter
*3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted flour
*4 egg yolks
*1/2 cup sugar
*4 egg whites, beaten until stiff
*pinch of salt
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*powdered sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 baking sheets with 2 tablespoons butter and 2 powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mark parallel lines in the flour across the width of the tray about 4 inches apart. Put the eggs yolks and sugar in a large mixing bowl, and with an electric mixer beat on medium-high until the mixture is pale yellow, thick, and has tripled in volume, about 8 minutes. Add the egg whites, rmaining 3/4 cup flour, salt and vanilla, fold to mix thoroughly so the mixture is smooth. Fill a large pastry bag with a 3/4inch plain tube with the mixture. Pipe fingers about 4 1/2 inches in legth on to the baking sheet, using the lines as a guide. Dust the ladyfingers with the powdered sugar. Bake for 15 to18 minutes, or until just firm on the outside and soft in the center. (You may want to check them, as they probably won't need to be baked as long as it says)

If there are any left after you finish sampling them then you can move on the to next step of making the well worth waiting for, Tirimisu.


TIRAMISU (it means "pick me up" in Italian!)

INGREDIENTS:
*6 egg yolks
*1 1/4 cup sugar
*2/3 cup milk
*1/2 cup rum (or more if you prefer) [I used rum flavoring with the amount of water the box said to bring it up to 1/2 cup]
*1 1/4 cups whipping (heavy) cream
*1/2 teaspoon vanilla
*1 1/2 cups espresso coffee, divided
*8 oz of mascarpone cheese (DON'T use cream cheese!)
*ladyfinger cookies
*bittersweet chocolate-- shaved (curled)

DIRECTIONS
In saucepan, beat egg yolks and sugar with wire whisk until well mixed. Beat in milk. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly; reduce heat to low. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat.

With an electric mixer, beat on high speed for about 6 minutes or until very thick and light yellow. Lower speed to medium and add 1/4 cup rum, 1/4 cup espresso, and the mascarpone. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Beat whipping cream and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until stiff, fold into the mascarpone mixture.

Combine the remaining 1/4 cup rum and 1 1/4 cups espresso in a shallow bowl. Line bottom and edges of an ungreased 9x9 glass baking dish with the ladyfingers and brush with the rum/espresso mixture. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture, cover with a layer of ladyfingers brushed with rum/espresso, spread the rest of the mascarpone mixture on top, dust with baking cocoa and chocolate shavings. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Share.

Buon appetito!