Classic Italian Tiramisu and my 100th Post !!!

Hi friends, this post is special to me because this is my 100th post, a mile-stone in my world!! When I started this blog on a whim, I never knew or even think about how long I would be able to carry this on. I still am not sure about that, but I know that I've reached a mile-stone in less than 5 months. I am so happy today for my blog is still alive and kicking, only because of the support each of you gave me. I have acquired some good friends through blogging, a few grew to be more personal friends. The encouraging words and enthusiastic responses you all leave me make me want to do this in some way for the rest of my life!! :-) Thanks again, and I hope you will continue your support and love. On that sweet note, I am going to share with you a sweet delight, which is nothing less than irresistible!!

I had heard a lot about her far and wide. Many a blogger has written poetically about her, many women envy her and want to be desirable like her, many men have fallen for her awesome looks. Yet I had never heard about her until recently neither did I have the chance to catch a glimpse of her. Finally my curiosity got the best of me and I put my foot down. I have to, I mean HAVE TO get to know her...I wanted to make TIRAMISU!

Mascarpone is an Italian dessert cheese which is not that common in the US. I searched far and wide for mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers, but it looked like it was not meant to be. Finally I learned about a Trader Joe's near my house! I never knew of this shop which was accessible to me! (I had read about this shop on many blogs, but I thought we didnt have one in MN!) Anyways, the price of mascarpone at Trader Joe's when compared to another high-end shop was nothing! Finally, yeah fiiiiiinally I had everything to make the most famed Italian dessert Tiramisu. Tiramisu literally means "pick me up", and thats what happened at our house. JM had been hearing a lot about "this dessert that I am going to make" for a longtime and he was quite impatient to taste it. I told him to wait until its chilled, but after 10 minutes, the temptation took over me too! We gobbled down two generous helpings in no time!! WOW! It sure was irresistible. It sure is a very rich dessert, so we have to limit it to special occassions. If you havent already, do try it out. There are many variations of the basic recipe but this one sure is a yummylicious one and an excellent no-bake dessert!! :-)

Recipe (Serves 6-8 ) :

Mascarpone cheese - 1 1/4 lb
Eggs - 5, separated, at room temperature
Caster sugar - 1/2 cup
Salt - a pinch
Sponge fingers - as needed
Strong espresso coffee - 1/2 cup
Brandy or rum - 4 tbsp (optional)
Cocoa powder - unsweetened, to sprinkle

Method:

Beat the mascarpone in a small bowl until soft.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar (reserving 1 tbsp) until the mixture is pale yellow and fluffy.

Gradually beat in the softened mascarpone.

Using an electric whisk or wire whisk, beat the egg whites with the salt until they form stiff peaks.

Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture.

Line one large or 6-8 individual serving dishes with a layer of sponge fingers.

Add the reserved sugar to the coffee and stir in the brandy or rum, if using.

Sprinkle the coffee over the sponge lining, it should be moist but not saturated.

Cover with half of the egg mixture.

Add a layer of sponge fingers moistened with coffee and cover with the remaining egg mxiture.

Sprinkle with cocoa powder.

Chill for atleast an hour, preferably more, before serving.

Source: Desserts 500 Delicious Recipes, Edited By Ann Kay.

Tips:

1. I only made less than half (with 8oz mascarpone) the recipe.
2. I lined a loaf pan with cling wrap and assembled the Tiramisu in it.
3. I has used 2 packets of sponge fingers 3 oz each, so I used them up. Ideally if you halve the recipe like I did, you would need only one 3 oz package.
   

I also have an award to share. Srilekha of Me and My Kitchen passed on to me the Yummy Blog Award. Thanks Sri, I really am happy that you find my blog to yummy!! I would like to pass this onto,


Ranji of Ranji's Kitchen Corner
EC of Simple Indian Food
Sailaja of Sailaja's Recipes

Maheswari of Beyond the Usual

Rachel of Tangerine's Kitchen

I have been tagged for a meme by Divya of Easy Cooking. Thanks a lot Divya, and I will do the meme shortly :-).