Masterclass – Make a Tiramisu at home – Pick me Up

Tiramisu is one of the most loved desserts that the Italians have nailed to perfection. Did you know Tiramisu in Italian means Pick Me Up?  (something for the Libido as this was first created in a brothel 😀 ) There’s something sensuous  about putting a well made gooey tiramisu slowly in the mouth and feel it sliding down the throar. The feel of the ladyfingers soaked in coffee (and sometimes liqeur) layered with the cream is so so heavenly. I remember my time in London when my colleague used to make this and YES she was Italian !!!!

Here’s an easy way to make Tiramisu right at home. Begin shall we?

Ingredients

1. First things first, get Mascarpone cheese. No, cream cheese cannot be a substitute. If you want to make a good one get mascarpone. I got mine from Vallombrosa, run by Baptiste priests
2. 4-5 fresh eggs. You will notice the fresh is in bold. Do not use eggs which is more than 2 days old in the fridge. The albumin tends to become thinner over time.  Here’s a way to find out if the eggs are fresh and ways to store them.
3. Vanilla (from a pure source not the cheap concentrate) . Optional
4. Savoiardi ladyfinger biscuits. (available on Big Basket). Many would suggest substituting it with chocolate sponge cake. Nope!!!  unless you are desperate.  Tiramisu needs prep and never try it when desperate. Note – This is not Ladyfinger vegetable !!
5. Espresso Coffee Decoction or Filter Coffee Decoction. I used Filter Coffee
6. Sugar about 120 gms

Lets do it

• Chill the coffee decoction (not freeze) (you can choose to either add kahlua or Baileys but avoid if making for kids) You can also choose to add some sugar to it but I didn’t
• Separate the egg white from the yolks in two separate containers.
• Whisk the egg yolks with sugar till it is thick. Mix the mascarpone slowly into this mixture – You can add the vanilla during the whisking if you want.
• Whisk the egg white till all the liquid disappears and it almost looks like whipped cream.  This step will fail if the eggs are  not fresh. A properly whipped egg white container can be placed over your head with no fear of it falling over !
• Fold the whipped egg white into the mascarpone mixture slowly till it is uniformly mixed
• Take a square container (ideally). I used round though since someone stole my square oven plate 😀
• Put the folded cream mixture into the bottom (less as you need to create layers)
• Now take the saviordi ladyfinger and dip the biscuit in the coffee decoction. Dont dip it too much or it will break. These are light spongy biscuits and soaks liquids fast. Place this on the first layer and package it well so it covers the base evenly.
• Now take the cream again and put another layer. Place the next set of the soaked ladyfinger biscuits so its sits on the new layer. Now complete the whipped cream on this layer and dust it with cocoa powder (not sweetened) and chill in the fridge for about 3-4 hours.  Buon Appetito !!

Tiramisu slice

piece of heaven in the mouth

create paradise

Look for more recipes under Phenomenal Recipes