TIRAMISU...... FOR XMAS, OF COURSE!

TIRAMISU.-  I don't know about you but we've got lovely memories of this dessert, sunny afternoons in Florence having great Espresso with a piece of Tiramisu from "Il Porscospino", directly across from Il Duomo.... what could be more perfect than that, right? We also had the opportunity of seeing World Cup Games there along with 6 other nationalities which made it a real party. Mexico was cheered by all... YAY!

Anyway, getting back to Tiramisu. I have an old recipe which requires a great deal of work and takes a while to make and this year, under tropical conditions which turned surprisingly warm (84 F) much to all of our surprise since it's supposed to be in the seventies but this year I'm afraid Climate Change has made an appearance and it really has been hotter than usual, the summer was a scorcher! If you add almost 90% humidity, well, kind of puts a damper on baking or much cooking.... :-(

Getting back to this version of Tiramisu, it's shorter and easier to make- anyone can make it really, even if you're not very adept at cooking or baking. I had to be flexible with the cookies needed, Lady Fingers, because they didn't have them at my local Chedraui Selecto so I had to make so with some Italian cookies that seemed to be able to work.

To make this dessert, you will need: You might want to have your ingredients at room temperature, it will make mixing easier

1/2 cup espresso or very strong coffee, room temperature
1/4 cup Marsala Wine, or your choice I've used Sherry before
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 large egg yolks
3 Tblsp sugar + extra
8 oz Mascarpone Cheese
3/4 cup heavy Cream or Whipping Cream
Lady Fingers package, or about 20-30 cookies, or something comparable
Dutch processed chocolate for dusting

Make the espresso and add the wine, vanilla and sugar. Mix well at room temperature.

For the cream filling you'll need a stainless steel bowl that will fit over a sauce pan since this is made over a Bain Marie, over gently simmering water. Don't allow the bowl to touch the water. Add the egg yolks, 3 Tbls sugar and 2 Tbls Wine and begin mixing (I recommend a hand mixer or immersion blender with a whisk) and beat without stopping for 5 - 8 minutes or until tripled in volume.

Take it off the heat and beat once more to insure it's really well blended. Beat the mascarpone so it's easier to mix in to the yolk mixture.

In another bowl, beat the heavy cream (you can add sugar if you like it sweet and some Vanilla, your choice) and beat at high speed until stiff peak stage. It's good to make this after the cream filling since it's best if the cream filling is allowed to cool. Add half the whipped cream to the filling mixture and combine, then add the rest and mix well. Mix with care to not deflate the cream.

Now take your cookies and begin dipping them into the Espresso liquid, turning and covering them well. Place into a square baking dish, or whatever dish you like, and cover the bottom of the dish fully. You might have to break some of them to make them fit well.

Now place half of the Mascarpone cream filling on top of the cookies and spread to make it as even as you can. Now you can put the chocolate powder on top. I use Dutch Processed and use a sieve to make it powdery. You can also grate, on a Microplane, a solid piece of chocolate or use whatever you like best. Dark chocolate is best.

Now arrange a second layer of cookies, then top with the last half of the Mascarpone Cream filling, even it out and once again top with chocolate. TA DA! You're done!

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours. I leave mine in the fridge overnight since this is the same thought like when you make Flan, overnight chill is best.

When you serve, you can sprinkle some additional chocolate over top. Amazing!!

If you practice and get it down right, this can be a showstopper dessert for any gathering. People love it and it will be gone in no time flat, promise! Great for Office, Church or Club events, Pot Lucks or just to spoil your family, basically anytime is great.

Hope you will try it and see, but most of all Enjoy!!! Merry Christmas Everyone!!!