Tiramisu

Sam Baldwin: What is “tiramisu”?
Jay: You’ll find out.
Sam Baldwin:  Well, what is it?
Jay: You’ll see!
Sam Baldwin: Some woman is gonna want me to do it to her and I’m not gonna know what it is!~~ Scene from ‘Sleepless in Seattle’

 

As stated in a couple of prior posts; I’m not a lover of Chocolate.  I was won over by this recipe when I worked at Bella Ristorante quite a few years ago.  When we were closing one night we were asked by the kitchen mgr if we wanted to take home some left over Tiramisu because they made much more than what was sold.  I ended up taking home a whole half sheet for my son and I to share.  There was alot.  And we ate every bite.

Going by looks alone, this might appear a bit daunting.  But once you read the ingredients, you’ll see it’s super easy and doesn’t take too much time to put together, though you do need to wait for it to set up for several hours.  This recipe calls for 2 layers, but I often like to make it a bit higher.  :-) Enjoy.

Ingredients

1 lb mascarpone

1/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp amaretto

1 cup heavy cream

24 ladyfingers

1 1/2 cups brewed espresso, cooled

1 tbsp amaretto

1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate

Directions

Whisk together the mascarpone, sugar and 2 tbsp amaretto until smooth.  In a cold bowl, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.  Add the cream to the mascarpone mixture and fold gently.

In a bowl, mix together the espresso and 1 tbsp amaretto.  Take half of the ladyfinger’s and dip them into the espresso mixture.  Arrange them in a single layer in an 8-inch square dish.  Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfinger’s then top with half the chocolate.

Repeat the steps for another layer.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours before eating.

 

Shrimp Scampi

“Anyway, like I was sayin’, shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that’s about it.” Bubba

 

 

Yes, I know.  Shrimp Scampi is not rocket science.  But I’ve been asked in the past for the recipe.  If cooked correctly, this is one quick but succulent dish.  A great starter to a fancy date night meal, maybe?  Or you can take it to another level and throw it over some pasta for a quick, but satisfying dinner.  Just one thing…don’t over cook the shrimp.  Please.

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tbsp olive oil

3-4 large garlic cloves, minced

Pinch of salt

1 lb extra large shrimp

2 tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

1 tbsp *real* lemon juice

4 lemon wedges

Directions

In a large sauté pan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium low heat.  When up to temperature, stir in the garlic.  Stir occasionally until the garlic is lightly golden.  Don’t let it brown.

Sprinkle the salt in the pan, then add the shrimp.  Cook for 2 to 3 minutes turning once.  When the shrimp just turn pink, add the parsley and lemon juice.  Cook or an additional minute.

Serve with the lemon wedges and crusty bread.