Terrific Tiramisu

Jan
2013
15

posted by on Recipes

 
Simple classic tiramisu recipe

Italian classic Tiramisu dessert

One of the most popular Italian desserts is the Tiramisu. But a classic tiramisu is not just a yummy, gooey, coffee flavoured end to your meal. With a disputed history and a host of variations on the tiramisu recipe, this Italian dolce is much more than just a delicious dessert.

The Italian word tiramisu means ‘pick me up’, or ‘lift me up’, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the ingredients used to make it. The high energy contents of sugar and egg yolks, as well as the shot of caffeine make for a definite burst of energy once you’ve devoured your portion of this tasty treat. On their own, the ingredients all seem relatively normal and not overly interesting, but when you put them all together, you’ve got yourself an explosive mix of flavours!

So what are the origins of the classic tiramisu? Well, that’s actually a very good question. It has been debated that its origins lie in Tuscany, as layered desserts, such as the ‘zuppa inglese’ (or ‘English soup’, which actually has nothing at all to do with soup…) are popular in this region. Some say it dates back to the First World War, others claim it was made during the renaissance in Venice! The one thing we can be sure of though, is that it was first officially mentioned in an Italian cookbook in 1981. It was stated that 10 years earlier, a restaurant named ‘Le Beccherie’ had invented and served this dessert.

There are many variations of the tiramisu, many which include marsala wine, Kahlua or vanilla sugar. But the traditional and simple tiramisu recipe, according to Le Beccherie, goes something like this:
1 and a half cups of espresso coffee, made with 2 teaspoons of sugar;
4 egg yolks;
100g sugar;
450g mascarpone cheese;
2 tablespoons of bitter cocoa and 30 savoiardi (or ladyfingers) which are used because they are very light.

These can often be found in Italian layered desserts. To make this classic tiramisu, first leave your prepared coffee until it cools to room temperature. Beat the yolks and sugar until they are light and fluffy, before combining the mascarpone cheese. Then, dip the ladyfingers in the coffee and use half of them to line the bottom of a dish. Spread the mascarpone mixture over the top, then repeat the process to create two layers. The finishing touch is a nice sprinkle of cocoa.

So, are you hungry yet? If you want to see how this tiramisu recipe is really made, then why not take part in a fabulous cooking tour in Tuscany, Italy? You can watch how to make this incredible dessert, or even get stuck in yourself with the mixing and layering! And the best part? You get to eat it afterwards!

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