Tiramisu Recipe

by The Travel Italy Grapevine

This is probably the best known of the Italian desserts. The meaning of Tiramisu means "pick me up", as it is said that when you eat this dessert you literally swoon when you eat it.

Well, I am not sure that I would go that far, but I do have a weakness for Tiramisu and so am giving you my favourite recipe that has come from one of my collection of Italian cook books. It is called: "320 Italian Recipes" by Kate Whiteman, Jeni Wright, Angela Boggiano and Carla Capalbo. Published Hermes House.

Tiramisu (serves 6-8)

3 eggs, separated
2 cups mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1 sachet of vanilla sugar
3/4 cup very strong black coffee
1/2 cup Kahlua or other coffee-flavoured liqueur
18 Italian sponge biscuits
sifted cocoa powder and grated bitter-sweet chocolate to finish.

Method:

Put the egg whites into bowl and whisk with an electric beater until whites are stiff and in peaks.

Mix the mascarpone, vanilla sugar and egg yolks in a separate large bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until evenly combined. Fold in the egg whites, then put a few spoonfuls of the mixture in the bottom of a large serving bowl and spread it out evenly.

Mix the coffee and liqueur together in a shallow dish. Dip a sponge finger in the mixture, turn it quickly so that it becomes saturated but does not disintegrate, and place it on top of the mascarpone in the bowl. Add five more dipped sponge fingers, placing them side by side.

Spoon in about one-third of the remaining mixture and spread it out. Make more layers in the same way, ending with the mascarpone. Level the surface, then sift cocoa powder all over. Cover and chill overnight. Before serving sprinkle with cocoa and grated chocolate.