Aunt Enzas Tiramisu Food

AUNT ENZA'S TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Prepare the espresso and cool completely. Separate the eggs, discarding the white from 1 of them. Beat 2 egg whites with 1 tablespoon sugar until it forms soft peaks. In another bowl, beat 3 egg yolks with the remaining sugar until thick and pale yellow. Add the mascarpone and Marsala to the egg yolk mixture and blend until well combined. Lightly fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture.
• Dip ladyfingers, one at a time, in espresso coffee and line the bottom of a 2 quart bowl or serving dish with about 1/3 of the cookies. Cover with about 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture. Continue building the tiramisù making 3 layers of cookies topped with 3 layers of mascarpone mixture. Dust the finished tiramisù with unsweetened cocoa or chop up some bittersweet chocolate and use it to spell out AUGURI on top. Refrigerate at least two hours.

TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until very thick and light yellow. Lower the speed to medium and add 1/4 cup rum, 1/4 cup espresso, and the mascarpone. Whisk until smooth.
• Combine the remaining 1/4 cup rum and 1 1/4 cups espresso in a shallow bowl. Dip 1 side of each ladyfinger in the espresso/rum mixture and line the bottom of a 9 by 12 by 2-inch dish. Pour half the espresso cream mixture evenly on top. Dip 1 side of the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso/rum mixture and place them in a second layer in the dish. Pour the rest of the espresso cream over the top. Smooth the top and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
• Before serving, sprinkle the top with shaved chocolate and dust lightly with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

ANGEL FOOD TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Line a 4 1/2 x 8 1/2" loaf pan with a sheet of plastic wrap (about 24" long).
• Beat together cream cheese, sugar, cream, and vanilla until smooth.
• Combine coffee and liquor (if desired).
• Slice cake horizontally into 4 layers using a serrated knife.
• Brush coffee mixture over both sides of each cake layer.
• Place one cake layer in the bottom of the prepared pan and spread evenly with 1/3 cup of cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 of the grated chocolate.
• Repeat with remaining layers, BUT reserve 1/2 cup of cream cheese mixture and 1/4 of the chocolate.
• Fold plastic wrap over the top and gently press to make cake level.
• Chill 30 minutes.
• Unwrap the top of the cake and invert onto a plate. Remove plastic wrap.
• Spread reserved cream cheese mixture over the top and sprinkle with remaining chocolate.
• Garnish with strawberries.

AUNT ENZA'S OVERSTEWED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Put the onion and the garlic in a heavy-bottomed 3-quart pot, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and stir to coat the vegetables.
• Place the pot over low heat and cook the onion and garlic for 10 minutes or until tender.
• Add the tomato, green beans, and pepper (or hot pepper) and season with salt. Bring to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cooking time will depend on the quality and freshness of the beans, which should be tender and soft. Check after 10 minutes to make sure that cooking liquid is sufficient. Add 1/4 cup boiling water if necessary. If beans expel too much water, uncover and cook over high heat to thicken sauce.
• Add the basil, cook for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat, and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.