Thus far on my blog, my desserts have been limited to cupcakes, cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, and predominantly chocolate goodies, which is self-explanatory, since these are all treats that either Lloyd or I enjoy.
Recently I got an itch, and not the kind that an OTC medicine can cure.
I got an itch to make something different. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone, and try whipping up something that intimidated me, or at least something new to me. After some thinking, I settled on an Italian dessert- tiramisu. It seemed like just the thing to make for a few reasons:
- I’d been wanting to use my trifle bowl for something, as I think the presentation looks impressive.
- Since I won’t go near mascarpone cheese, this dessert wasn’t going to make me fat!
- It was unlike any other desserts I’ve made so far.
- People go nuts for tiramisu!
Let me clarify something for you. The following is a list of foods I won’t go near, from most disgusting to least disgusting (but nonetheless still disgusting!):
- mayonnaise
- cream cheese
- sour cream
- creamy dressing
- yogurt
- pudding/custard
- seafood
- olives
I know.
Breathe.
Gasp.
You read that right.
I won’t eat any of those foods solo, or in any combination. I don’t care if “you can’t really taste it,” or “you wouldn’t even know it was in there.”
Deal with it. I ain’t eating it.
I seem to have an aversion to white, creamy things. (That’s what she said!) I think it’s more of a texture thing. I hate the way it feels in my mouth. (That’s what she said. Again.)
I liked tuna as a child (hold the mayo!) but haven’t touched it since around second grade, when I used to bring it to school in a Tupperware container and eat it with a fork. It was either that, or salad for lunch. I didn’t “do” lunch meats as a child.
I was strange, I know. Not much has changed.
Sounds healthy, but there was always a variety snacks to accompany my lunch, including, but not limited to Cape Cod chips, Yodels, Oreos, Fruit Roll-Ups, Doritos, and Smart Food. And it was all washed down by a High-C or a Hawaiian Punch.
I know.
I can’t figure out why I’m addicted to sugar, either. Or why there’s an obesity epidemic in America, but I digress.
Anyway, since I don’t do cream cheese or creamy white things, like mascarpone cheese, I thought this would be a great dessert for stepping outside the culinary box. Did you know that “tiramisu” translates to “pick me up” or “carry me up?” I did my research, and discovered that for tiramisu to be “authentic,” you should use mascarpone cheese. Most restaurants or bakeries use cream cheese, or a cream cheese mixture, which results in the dessert that is more cake-like, and with a filling that resembles a whipped cream. I may not eat tiramisu, but I am part I-talian, so I was going to do it the right way. Leave it to Giada to have a simple, authentic recipe for tiramisu, which had multiple reviews raving about it.
Tiramisu
(Printable Recipe)
Ingredients
- *6 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 pound mascarpone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled
- 2 teaspoons dark rum (I used Kahlua)
- 24 packaged ladyfingers
- 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish
Directions
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso and mix until thoroughly combined.
- In a small shallow dish, add remaining espresso and rum. Dip each ladyfinger into espresso for only 5 seconds. Letting the ladyfingers soak too long will cause them to fall apart. Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch baking dish, breaking them in half if necessary in order to fit the bottom.
- Spread evenly 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with remaining mascarpone mixture.
- Cover tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
Notes: I used Kahlua, because I had some in the house, rather than go buy rum, that I’d never use again. I used a cheese grater for my chocolate instead of shaving it with a vegetable feeler. I sprinkled it on top at the end, which made it look like a dusting of chocolate.
This dessert took no time at all to prepare! I’d read that it tastes better the longer it sits, so I made it on Saturday morning and served it on Sunday afternoon.
Although I couldn’t bring myself to try this dessert, it was fun and easy to make. I thought the presentation looked beautiful and “fancy.”
I had to rely on others for a description and review. Who better than Chelsea?! Ms. Sprinkles doesn’t even care for tiramisu (she says it reminds her of a bad night with mudslides!) but she sampled it and said, “I loved it because it was smooth in flavor and light in texture. My number one complaint about tiramisu is the alcohol overpowers the rest of the flavors, but yours was creamy without the kick. Your ladyfingers were soft and tender lending itself well to the rest of the smooth and silky ingredients, making it an enjoyable and well-balanced dessert.”
My friend Colleen echoed Chelsea’s description, stating that it was much creamier than any other tiramisu she’d tried, which leads me to believe that she’s never had authentic tiramisu with mascarpone! She agreed with Chelsea in that she appreciated that it wasn’t soaked in alcohol.
Whether or not they were just being polite, the dessert seemed to go over well with the crowd- a perfect “pick me up” for any occasion!
lol..I have a few dishes that I make that I don’t eat. I don’t like cheesecake…well..I have never tried it. I don’t like cream cheese so I assume that I won’t like cheesecake..and I know what happens with you assume but instead of making an ass of myself I know the cheescake will go straight to my ass…So I make great peanut butter cheesecake brownie bites…Everyone raves about them, but I have never even tried them.
Oh, and I eat tuna with mustard…have since I was a teen…just can’t stomach mayo:/~
lol! I never get tired of thats what she said jokes =)
oH and I HATE olives! they scare me… and are just too bitter to eat!
yuck
xoXOxo
Love this step outside of your comfort zone! Such a big (tasty) step. Cheese, chocolate, ladyfingers, and Kahlua. What a great recipe!
It’s funny – you have the same ‘do not eat’ list as one of my friends. She just doesn’t like anything creamy or cheesy. Anyways, your tiramisu looks great. I would just take a ladle and scoop large amounts of it onto my plate – would that be considered low brow or rude? ;]
I agree with your full list except for the olives. I love olives! But I do hate creamy white cheeses and sauces, even white salad dressings. But this tiramisu looks good!
My BFF is exactly like you…same aversion, and I can’t understand it, but it’s true!
As for me, I love all these things, I love the creamy textures, and flavors of all the above listed.
Your Tiramisu is beautiful, and love the presentation; jus wondering if you have an aversion to mascarpone too, which is also creamy, semi-white, but the flavor is oh, so heavenly!
This looks fantastic..and I ..hm I love everything except oysters, and squids..those makes me sick just by the smell!
And I love everything creamy…
Your “can’t eat” list makes me smile. I count on all those ingredients heavily. I am, however, the same as you with regard to taste testing when it comes to chocolate. Since I don’t like it, I need others to tell me if the things I make with it taste good.
Anyhow, your tiramisu is beautiful and I’m sure tasted fantastic. I think a sprinkling of alcohol is much better than a soaking too.
You are so darn picky! I couldn’t live without the majority of the stuff you listed. Anywho, I love the idea of making tiramisu in a trifle dish! That way you get to see how lovely the layers are.
So most restaurants in Rome have translations into English b/c its just such a tourist driven city. And since Italians also aren’t (typically) into speaking English, occasionally the translations can be really funny. My favorite of all so far is for tiramisu!! It’s from a restaurant down the street from me, Popi Popi. I recommend it to anyone visiting rome!!!! The translation is:
Tiramisu
‘Cheesy Custard Lady Fingers’
I kid you not. I just love how utterly absurd it sounds!! Though why even bother translate? Everyone knows what tiramisu is.
Your tiramisu looks like it turned out beautifully in your trifle dish. I’ve made tiramisu with homemade mascarpone and homemade lady fingers and it turned out fantastic. It was a process and took quite a while to complete….haven’t made it again since.
It’s too bad you didn’t get to enjoy it too with your food aversions. I applaud your going outside your comfort zone. Bravo!
This looks delish! I have been wanting to try making a trifle – the dish is so pretty!
You would fit in with my husband’s family…they don’t eat anything creamy…except whipped cream. Your tiramisu looks amazing!
Your tiramisu looks terrific. I’ll have your share! I think Kahlua sounds like a terrific substitute for rum!
This looks delicious! I don’t use my trifle bowl nearly as much as I should (it’s actually holding some holiday decorations right now). Thanks for sharing!
Haha, your that’s what she said jokes were cracking me up!
I’m actually not a huge tiramisu fan, but yours looks really good!
Love mascarpone and put it in everything I can. And yes – always use mascarpone in tiramisu. I like the ladyfingers in a bit of brandy. I’ve never had tiramisu with rum. Interesting the variations. I must say I would happily eat your tiramisu!
what a pretty looking dessert!! thanks for sharing this.. and hope you have a nice day.
This sounds delicious! Tiramisu has always been one of my favorite desserts(I think it’s just the kahlua).
I used to HATE mayonnaise, and now I love it. Funny how tastes change.
I definitely go nuts for tiramisu!!
Lol..I feel the same way about coffee as you do to mayonnaise! The universe certainly balances things out.
Oh gosh….I like everything on that list except olives. I don’t like bananas and oatmeal. Gasp for me!
I am so weird about certain foods, too. Absolutely NO mayo, sour creamy, creamy dressings, blue cheese, feta, gorgonzola…yuck! I do enjoy tiramisu, though
The tiramisu looks awesome, but not only that, you had me cracking up this entire post!!
I HATE HATE HATE mayo & cream cheese too- it just grosses me out.
Oh and the presentation looks so pretty too
lovely pictures and dessert
Too funny! I don’t like white condiments either- my friends all make fun of me. I’m getting a little better about it and I have to admit I’ll eat them “if I can’t taste them” or “can’t see them” ha Your tiramisu looks great. I really need to get a trifle bowl!
I can see why folks would go nuts for it! Really elegant presentation!
That looks wonderful. I used to live on sandwiches as a kid but I did know a few people that stayed away from mayo. Great recipe.
If you are interested in learning the crazy story that originated tiramisu’ check out my video
I hope you find it useful.
Ciao
I’ve honestly never made tiramisu either. I love it, though. Yours looks wonderful, good for you for taking on a challenge!
I haven’t try making tiramisu at home before… Yours looks so creamy and delicious. I may try this
Lovely and I like the trifle display.
I’ve never tried making tiramisu before….one day I will tackle it.
OMG!!! My brother and I always joke that we are “allergic to white creamy things” I always say that! Blue Cheese, Ranch dressing, mayonnaise, yogurt… I can eat cream cheese though…
Too funny!
Your dessert looks fabulous!