Celebrate the Day

"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right,
 he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."
Charles Wadsworth

Today seemed like that kind of day to take on a cooking challenge. I found a recipe that had some of my husband's favorite ingredients:chocolate, whip cream, Kahlua and coffee.

The steps may appear daunting BUT well worth the effort.  

Chocolate Tiramisu

recipe by Kriss Harvey from Bon Appetit May 2011

serves 4 if using a larger bowl like I did but will serve 6 if using the traditional ramekin. The recipe is rich so smaller ramekin is better.

Cook's notes: My adaptations are noted in the recipe below

can also place this dessert in small teacups to serve

Ingredients:

Espresso syrup

• 1 cup espresso or strong coffee
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 2 TB Kahlua

Tiramisu

• 1 package (3oz.) ladyfingers halved
• 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate chopped (do not exceed 61% cacao)
• 1 cup chilled whip cream
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 TB. plus 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 TB. Kahlua

Directions:

• Combine marscarpone, 2 TB. sugar and vanilla in a small bowl-whisk to blend, cover and chill
• Stir espresso, sugar,and Kahlua-set aside
• Place 1 TB. water in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin over it and let sit 10 minutes
• Whisk 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, 1/4 whipping cream (do not whip it)and 1/4cup water in a metal bowl-mix well
• Place metal bowl over boiling water and whisk constantly till custard thickens about 6 minutes (do not let mixture get too hot or will curdle)
• Remove from heat
• Add gelatin mixture and whisk well,add chopped chocolate and return bowl to hot water and cook 1-2 minutes longer till chocolate melted
• Add 1 TB. Kahlua
• Set bowl of chocolate mixture in a larger pan of ice water for 6 minutes
• Beat 3/4 cup whipping cream and fold into chocolate mixture
• Spread chocolate mouse about 1/8 cup in bottom of each bowl
• Lay 2 lady fingers over mouse and sprinkle with espresso syrup
• Repeat with another layer of mouse and then ladyfingers and sprinkle with espresso syrup over the ladyfingers
• Spread 1 TB. mascarpone on top of all of this add a raspberry and grated chocolate
• Refrigerate till serving  

A recent flea market adventure purchase-vintage cast iron skillet

Look for upcoming skillet recipes