When we
were kids, the bowl made an appearance when other Italian relatives
were visiting. To make Tiramisu mid-week was a statement to the other
branches of the family that we were doing well. Even if we had to eat
basic meals for two weeks afterwards it didn't matter, as long as the
family thought we had money!
The
antipasti would appear, followed by large salads containing salmon. This show was always finished off by Tiramisu! I wasn't bothered
about the rest of the meal, I just waited for dessert. The recipe below
is not the family recipe, as I would not tell anyone how to make that
other than my son, or maybe his daughter when she gets older. All
Italian families of my generation had their own slightly different
recipe.
This
recipe is for a quick, cheap version of this dish, There other
variations of this recipe but this is the one that I make.
1 Egg - separate the white
in one bowl and the yolk in another.
2 tbl spoons of Caster
sugar. Put this in with the egg white and whisk until stiff but not
dry.
2tbl spoons of Greek
Yogurt.
8oz Mascapone Cheese. Put
cheese and yogurt in with the egg yolk and beat until smooth. Then
fold in the egg white mixture.
2 tbl spoons of black
coffee (wet, not coffee powder) and a good glug of brandy mixed
together in a bowl.
8 sponge fingers
Put part of the mixture
in the bottom of a serving bowl, then dip the sponge fingers in the
coffee mixture and put them on top of the cheese mixture, then cover
with the rest of the cheese mixture. Pour whatever is left of the
coffee mixture over the top. Then grate your choice of chocolate over
the top.
Cover and leave in the
fridge for twenty four hours before serving.
Buon Appitito!
