Tiramisu With Brandy Custard Food

TIRAMISU

Steps:

• In a pie dish or shallow bowl, combine the coffee with 1/4 cup rum, and set aside.
• Whisk together the yolks, sugar and salt in the top of a double boiler (or in a stainless steel bowl set over a pot of simmering water). With the heat set to low, stir almost constantly with the whisk, until the temperature of the yolks reaches 160 degrees F, 10-15 minutes. (See recipe notes; you can skip this step if you purchase pasteurized eggs).
• Remove from the heat and pour the yolk mixture into a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or use a large, clean bowl and an electric mixer). Beat until pale, thick and creamy, approximately 4 minutes. Add the mascarpone cheese and remaining rum. Mix on medium speed to incorporate the ingredients, which will look lumpy. Turn off the machine, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and turn the speed up to high for 3 minutes, until thick and very smooth.
• Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream to a stiff peak (this can also be done by hand with a bowl and whisk). Fold the whipped cream into the yolk mixture.
• Grab the pie dish with the coffee, and place it next to a 9x13 dish (standard baking dish, glass, ceramic, etc).
• Very briefly dip the ladyfingers into the coffee, then line them along the bottom of the pan (my pan held exactly 24 per layer). Do not flip the ladyfinger in the liquid to coat the other side evenly, and do not hold it in the liquid. Too much liquid = mushy dessert that seeps coffee.
• Once you have a single layer, top with half of the custard mixture, spreading evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle evenly with half of the grated chocolate. Repeat with the remaining ladyfingers, custard, and chocolate. If desired, sift a light coating of cocoa powder on top of the bittersweet chocolate to fill in any chocolate gaps (this is more about presentation than flavor).
• Cover the pan tightly and refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve, scoop into individual bowls or onto plates.

TIRAMISU RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine the coffee and 1/2 cup of dark rum in a medium bowl then mix together and set aside. You can omit the rum and add a dash of vanilla with some more coffee for soaking or you can add a favorite liqueur like Kahlua, Grand Marnier, or Godiva.
• Transfer the mascarpone to a large bowl then pour in 1/4 cup of dark rum and mix together until well combined. You can use an electric hand mixer or a whisk for this step.
• Add the egg yolks and sugar to a double boiler or glass bowl. Whisk together then place over a pot of simmering water making sure the water does not touch the bowl. Whisk over heat until sugar has dissolved and the mixture is light yellow in color and thickened a bit.
• Pour the egg yolk mixture into the mascarpone and whisk until combined. You can use an electric hand mixer for this step if desired. Place in the refrigerator until needed.
• Add the cold cream and vanilla extract to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a large bowl if using an electric hand mixer. Mix on low for about 30 seconds then slowly increase speed to high. Beat until the whipped cream has stiffer peaks but keep an eye on it because it will curdle into butter if over-whipped.
• Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. You can run a whisk through it at the end to mix in any remaining unmixed bits.

TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch-square baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving a 3-inch overhang on all sides. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Make the custard: Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the sugar dissolves. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the custard is light and foamy, about 10 minutes (a thermometer inserted into the mixture should register 170 degrees F).
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set in the bowl of ice water; whisk until the custard is cool, about 1 minute. Put the mascarpone in a large bowl. Fold the custard into the mascarpone with a rubber spatula until almost combined, then whisk until just smooth (do not overmix or the custard will be grainy).
• Combine the espresso and brandy in a shallow bowl. One at a time, dip the ladyfingers in the espresso mixture until soaked but not soggy; arrange 2 rows of about 5 biscuits each in the baking dish. Spread one-third of the mascarpone custard over the ladyfingers. Repeat with a second layer of espresso-dipped ladyfingers, arranging them in the opposite direction. Top with another one-third of the custard. Repeat with the remaining ladyfingers, alternating directions. Spread the remaining custard on top and dust with the cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Invert a plate on top of the tiramisu, then flip the tiramisu with the plate. Remove the baking dish and plastic wrap. Invert a serving plate on top of the tiramisu and flip again so it is cocoa-side up. Remove the remaining plastic wrap. Shave curls of chocolate on top with a vegetable peeler.
• Photograph by Con Poulos

TIRAMISU WITH BRANDY CUSTARD

Steps:

• Fill large bowl with ice water. Whisk eggs and 1/3 cup sugar in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until thermometer registers 160°F, about 10 minutes. Set custard over bowl of ice water and whisk until cool. Mix in brandy. Whisk mascarpone in another large bowl to loosen. Fold in custard. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to simmer in medium saucepan. Add 1 cup sugar and espresso powder; whisk until sugar dissolves. Mix in cream. Refrigerate until cold. Submerge 3 cookies in chilled espresso-cream mixture for 5 seconds. Place cookies on bottom of 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Working in batches, repeat with enough remaining cookies to just cover bottom of dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over cookies. Repeat soaking process with remaining cookies, placing them in single layer atop mascarpone mixture. Spread remaining mascarpone mixture over cookies. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
• Whisk cocoa and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sift sweetened cocoa over top of dessert. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• *Available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.
• **Available at Italian markets and some supermarkets.

TIRAMISU II

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil gently for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Cover tightly and chill in refrigerator 1 hour.
• In a medium bowl, beat cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form.
• Whisk mascarpone into yolk mixture until smooth.
• In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise and drizzle with coffee mixture.
• Arrange half of soaked ladyfingers in bottom of a 7x11 inch dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, then half of whipped cream over that. Repeat layers and sprinkle with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours, until set.