WHAT IS TIRAMISU?
Tiramisu (Italian: tiramisù [ˌtiramiˈsu] is a coffee-flavored Italian dessert whose recipe has been adapted into many varieties of cakes and other desserts. It is a layered cake-like dessert consisting of four essential ingredients. These are:coffee, mascarpone (Italian soft cheese made from cream), egg yolks, and ladyfinger sponge biscuits (savoiardi in Italian). Its origins are often disputed among Italian regions Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
FAMOUS ITALIAN DESSERT: TIRAMISU ORIGINS AND HISTORY
Wikipedia states: “Obituaries for the restaurateur Ado Campeol (1928–2021) reported that it was invented at his restaurant Le Beccherie in Treviso on 24 December 1969 by his wife Alba di Pillo (1929–2021) and the pastry chef Roberto Linguanotto. The dish was added to its menu in 1972. There is also evidence of a “Tiremesù” semi-frozen dessert served by the Vetturino restaurant in Pieris, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia, since 1938. This may be the name’s origin, while the recipe for Tiramisu may have originated as a variation of another layered dessert, Zuppa Inglese. Others claim it was created towards the end of the 17th century in Siena in honor of Grand Duke Cosimo III.”
WHAT IS THE BEST SHERRY FOR TIRAMISU?
A cream sherry, very likely. We think that the typical amount ofsugar found in this type of sherries is ideal for pairing with Tiramisu. Plus, the combination of toasty, spicey and nutty flavors in the wine truly complement the ingredients in the dessert. In this context,Lustau Capataz Andrésis a wine with tremendous balance and lifted palate resulting in a delicious option for this classy Italian sweet dish.
TIRAMISU RECIPE
Preparation:
Brew the coffee and allow it to cool
Beat your egg yolks with your sugar until well whisked
Mix the Mascarpone until the texture is smooth
Set the cream mixture aside
Soak half of your ladyfinger biscuits in the brewed coffee, but don’t let them sit for too long to make sure the texture isn’t too soggy
See AlsoTiramisù: 10 Common MistakesArrange the unsoaked biscuits in a row in the center of the dish (a circular dish if you want to keep to tradition)
Spread half of the cream mixture onto the biscuits
Soak the other half of your biscuits in the coffee, then place them into the dish
Spread the remaining cream mixture on top
Sprinkle with sifted cocoa powder
Place in the fridge for 3 or 4 hours, allowing the dish to firm and the flavors to develop
TIRAMISU RECIPE
Alcohol can also be used to soak the ladyfinger biscuits. For this, sweet Marsala wine from Sicily (or cream sherry!) is the most popular option.
Le Beccherie also prepares an alternative version of Tiramisu to serve in the restaurant: the “Tiramisù Sbagliato” (which roughly translates to “messed-up tiramisu”). This adaptation has the same ingredients as a traditional Tiramisu, but it is served in a “deconstructed” form.
Some Tiramisu recipes also call for egg white instead of yolk. This creates a lighter, mousse-like cream, compared to the thicker, richer consistency created by beating egg yolks, sugar, and cream together.
FAQ
What is the best substitute for rum in tiramisu?
Rum, Curaçao liqueur, triple sec, and Grand Marnier are all popular spirits that can be added to Tiramisu, but the chefs at Le Beccherie said they keep their recipe alcohol-free. If you choose to use alcohol in your recipe, but you’d like to replace the rum,olorososherry would be our suggestion.
What is the best sherry for Tiramisu?
Any sweet sherry style goes perfectly with Tiramisu, although pedro ximénez is great choice. Its luscious, velvety texture will pair with the soft, delicate notes of this classy dessert.
How much coffee does the tiramisu have?
Our recipe requires 4 cups of coffee for aproximately 60 biscuits. The more biscuits you use, you will probably need more than 4 cups.
How much caffeine does the tiramisu have?
There are probably up to 200 mg of caffeine in a tiramisu made with a decent espresso but it will always depend on how much coffee and how concentrated it is.
Can you get drunk off of tiramisu?
Not if you follow our recipe. However, you can pour some Lustau Oloroso Don Nuño or few drops of Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio to add some extra spiciness and texture.
