Week #40 is Tiramisu-

For those who havent had Tiramisu, I will tell you is one unique dessert because its amazing how the alcohol, eggs, cocoa, coffee and cream combine for this ultimate treat. I had this first when I was staying with a Swedish family in Luxembour. For those of who who ahve read my book, I didnt have the best of times living there, but one thing that the landlady made that was simply outstanding was the tiramisu. She used spinge cake instead of Italian ladyfingers, but result was just as good. She saved me some many times and that was probably one of the ver few kind gestures I remember of her.
I just use rum instead of marsala wine and make a zabaglione which is a must for this ( yolk custard).If you dont get mascarpone cheese, plain cream cheese should work too. My hubby loves it and i made it for his birthday last week.

Ingredients -
7 egg yolks
Sugar 3/4 cup
rum - 3/4 cup
cocoa- 2 tablespoons
Thick coffee liquid- 1 cup
milk chocolate shavings- 2 tablespoons
vanilla essence- 1 tablespoon
ladies fingers or sponge cake-5-6 cups
mascarpone- 10 ounces at room temperature
cream- 1 cup

Method:

Zabaglione: Put a pot of simmerign water. Water should not be boiling and heat should be low. Take egg yolks and sugar in a bigger bowl and place on top of simmering water. Take an electric beater and beat it till it doubles in volume and changes color. Add vanila essence, 2 tablespoons rum and keep beating for 1-2 minutes more. Remove from heat and add the mascarpone and combine properly. The zabaglione is now ready.
In a cool vessel, beat cream till it forms stiff peaks.


Now add the rest of the rum to the thick coffee and mix. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the cocoa to this and dunk the sponge cake or ladyfinger and place them in a long dish. Slather the zabaglione on top of the ladygingers or cake. add the cream on top of that and use a strainer and sprinkle cocoa on top of the cream. Repeat theis entire process one more time. Then add the chocolate shavings. Close this with foil and refridegerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Enjoy!!