Tiramisu

Tiramisu has to be the most popular Italian dessert. Translated it means "pick me up". "Pick me up" because it contains coffee/caffeine or "pick me up" as in "lift my spirits". Either way, it is a light and delicious dessert. Most of us will order it, to top off a delicious dinner, when we dine at a fine Italian restaurant. Tiramisu is worthy of being served at even the finest Wedding Receptions.

Casey, my son Mike's girlfriend, found this recipe, made it and brought it over for one of our family gatherings. It's a real winner (so is she). It looks complicated but Casey says it's a snap so......let's give it a try.


Tiramisu

• 6 egg yolks
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese)
• 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2- 12 oz pkg. ladyfingers
• 1/3 cup *coffee flavored liqueur
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 0z square of semi-sweet chocolate

Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored.

Add mascarpone to whipped yolks. Beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside.

Split the lady fingers in half, and line the bottom and sides of a spring form pan or a large glass bowl. Brush with coffee liqueur. Spoon half of the cream filling over the lady fingers.
Repeat ladyfingers, coffee liqueur and filling layers. Garnish with cocoa and **chocolate curls. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

* Try using that home-made Kahlua
**To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.




P.S. Tomorrow would have been my Mom & Dad's Wedding Anniversary. They were married on September 20, 1936. This Tiramisu recipe seems to be a nice tribute to them. A special Italian dessert for a special Italian couple.