A New Beginning

We will open the book. The pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity.

And it's first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce
American poet and author

  

My new journal (a Christmas gift) begs to be written on with its clean, uncluttered page. The possibilities of what to write are endless much like all the recipes I keep finding and wish I could try but know I should limit myself. I am sure today January 1 some are even taking out a fresh clean page and making their New Year's resolutions. I thought this cartoon was funny. And don't you just love that saying on the journal cover:)  

Tiramisu means "pick-me-up" in Italian named for the high energy content (eggs-sugar) and caffeine of strong espresso coffee. This layered sponge cake was created in the early 1970's by chef Robert Linguanotto in the city of Treviso, Italy. 

A recent New Year's gathering was the perfect time to try this new spin on Tiramisu. Instead on serving it in an over-sized coffee cup as suggested  I thought a martini glass would make it look more elegant. If you love coffee and Kahlua then this is the recipe for you. It was so easy to put together and  looks like you spent a lot of time when it was under 30 minutes.

Tiramisu

serves 4
adapted from Southern Living December 2007

Ingredients

• 4 oz. cream cheese-softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 pint of whipping cream-whipped
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 TB. instant espresso coffee powder
• 1/4-1/3 cup Kahlua 
• 2 packages ladyfingers

Directions;

• Arrange lady slipper halves around the glass overlapping each and use one half for middle
• In a small bowl mix hot water and espresso powder stir till granules dissolved-set aside
• Add Kahlua to coffee mixture
• In a bowl beat whipping cream and set aside
• In another bowl beat softened cream cheese and sugar and then add 2 TB. of whipping cream and mix well
• Fold cream cheese mixture into whipped cream and blend
• With a teaspoon soak/dribble each ladyfinger slice with coffee mixture
• In center of Martini glass place 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture
• Grate semi- sweet chocolate over top
• Refrigerate several hours uncovered