Sunday, March 24, 2013

Limoncello Tiramisu




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Years ago I was an opinionated little thing. My father took me under his wing and tried to teach me tact and a more than passing respect for the rights and opinions of others. I'm sure I've lost much of what he wanted me to grasp, but I still remember the day I shared an unsolicited observation with him and was unceremoniously told to "stop criticizing obituaries." You see, then and now, I suffered from a bad case of expectations gone awry, and tonight's recipe is a case in point. I had expected something special and ended up with something that was merely nice. I've been eyeing this tiramisu recipe for  a while now, but postponed making it because of the expense involved. I thought it would be a perfect way to end our Easter meal, so I broke down and purchased everything needed to make it and did a test run of the recipe last night. An hour of my time  and 36 dollars later, I'm  back to criticizing obituaries and can tell you that the recipe did not meet my very high expectations, given the time and expense that was involved. Lemon lovers will probably glory in this version of tiramisu, but it is too tart for mere mortals to enjoy.  I had to add an additional sweet  cream topping to tone down the pucker power of this dessert. I suspect you will too. The recipe, developed by Lidia Bastianich, also makes way more lemon syrup that you'll need for one tiramisu. If you decide to make this,  you can cut the syrup ingredients in half.  I hasten to add this is not a bad recipe, but if you are looking for something special for the holiday, you might want to look further.  I know I am. The original recipe follows.

Limoncello Tiramisu...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Lidia Bastianich

Ingredients:
5 large eggs
5 or 6 lemons
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups limoncello liqueur
1 cup water
1 pound (2 cups) Mascarpone, at room temperature
40 ladyfingers (preferably imported Italian savoiardi), or more as needed

Directions:
1) Separate eggs, putting yolks into top portion of a double boiler. Place whites in a stainless steel pan that is large enough to beat them.
2) Remove zest of two or more lemons, using a fine grater, to get 2 tablespoons of zest. Squeeze out and strain juice of these and the other lemons to get 3/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
3) To make base for tiramisù, heat water in lower portion of a double boiler until it comes to a steady simmer. Meanwhile, beat egg yolks with 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of limoncello until well blended. Set pan over simmering water, and whisk constantly, frequently scraping whisk around sides and bottom of pan, as egg mixture expands and heats into a frothy sponge, 5 minutes or longer. When sponge has thickened enough to form a ribbon when it drops on surface, remove pan from heat and set it aside to cool.
4) Meanwhile, pour remaining cup of limoncello, all of the lemon juice, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, and cook for 5 minutes, to evaporate alcohol. Allow syrup to cool completely.
5) In another large bowl, stir mascarpone with a wooden spoon to soften it, then drop in lemon zest and beat until light and creamy.
6) Whip egg whites with remaining 1/4 cup sugar, by hand or by machine, until moderately firm peaks form.
7) When limoncello sponge (or zabaglione) has cooled, scrape about a third of it over mascarpone, and fold it in with a large rubber spatula. Fold in rest of the zabaglione in two or three additions. Then fold in whipped egg whites in several additions, until the limoncello-mascarpone cream is light and evenly blended.
8) Pour some of cooled syrup, no deeper than 1/4 inch, into a shallow-rimmed pan to moisten ladyfingers (savoiardi). One at a time, roll ladyfingers in syrup and place them in casserole or baking dish. Wet each cookie briefly — if it soaks up too much syrup, it will fall apart. I've found that 4 seconds per side is perfect. Arrange moistened ladyfingers in neat, tight rows, filling bottom of pan completely. You should be able to fit about twenty ladyfingers in a single layer. You will need atotal of 40 ladyfingers.
9) Scoop half of limoncello-mascarpone cream onto ladyfingers, and smooth it to fill pan and cover them. Dip and arrange a second layer of ladyfingers in pan, and cover it completely with the remainder of cream.
10) Smooth cream with spatula, and seal tiramisù airtight in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 2 days), or put it in the freezer for 2 hours. To serve, cut portions of tiramisùand transfer to dessert plates for serving. Yield: 12 servings.







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31 comments :

Chiara said...

one of my favourite dessert!Have a great day, blessings...

Katarina said...

What a beautiful tiramisu and lemon gives a great taste. Have a lovely Sunday!

Eily said...

Nice post I like your Tiramisu!

QembarDelites said...

This tiramisu looks delicious! I just might like the tartness of it, I am a huge fan of lemons and tiramisu:D Hope you have a great weekend, Mary.

Unknown said...

I can definitely relate to time + expense = dissatisfaction. And some times, with recipes, that's the only way we'll know.

I liked your "daddy" story and the line, "Don't criticize obituaries." It sounds like you had a wise dad. And that was a wonderful illustration.

Thanks for sharing,
Karen
Idaho

Alicia Foodycat said...

I think this sounds lovely! I do love a really tart lemon dessert. I think your extra cream topping is a good idea though.

Joanne said...

I always find recipe fails (especially expensive ones) to be particularly disappointing! :( I'm sorry!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I must say it does look pretty special. But then I am partial to lemon. I'm also impressed at the fact that you do test runs. I wait until the last minute, will often experiment on guests, and if it doesn't work out I have found myself scrambling at the 11th hour! The guests are none the wiser, though.

A Paixão da Isa said...

hum gosto mt de tiramisu e este de limao esta 5* bjs bd

Kim said...

So bad when it cost that much and doesn't meet our expactations, isn't it? I wanted to give this recipe a try too one day... Now I don,t know.... Traditional tiramisu are really good! If I happen to have limoncello on hands maybe i'll try this one... if not, think I'll pass my turn! Have a nice day Mary!

What's next said...

I love limoncello but think I'll take you're advise and keep looking... looks beautiful though!

Claudia said...

I actually have all the ingredients and have been eyeing Linmoncello tiramisu recipes for months. My husband hates any sort of tiramisu which is why it has not been made. Still I love a lemony, tart taste (it suits my long winter mood) and one of these days - when my husband is on a business trip - I will make this!

Judy@Savoring Today said...

Mary, I made this same recipe last year for my birthday. I am one of those lemon lovers that can't get enough lemon, so I was quite excited. I even made my own ladyfingers, adding to the time and treasure of making it. I don't know what I did wrong, but it didn't 'set' for me, the mascarpone never reached a creamy consistency. I blame myself for the outcome because yours looks perfect. It was too time consuming for me to try it again, so it's good to know even if it turns out as the recipe indicates, it may not be worth another attempt. I ended up making lemon ice cream instead, which was terrific and far less time consuming. :D

FABBY'S LIVING said...

OMG! This limoncello looks yummy, just too good to be true! Wish I had a piece right now, it looks so fresh and I also love the the Limoncello liquor too. Hugs,
FABBY

Cuisine de Provence said...

Mary, instead of using lemonjuice and limoncello to moisten the ladyfingres, I would use just limoncello and am sure the essert would turn out just fabulous and nicely boozy - just for grown ups, of course...

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

I just had a similar experience though not as expensive. By the look of this recipe it looks like it should work, but I guess until you actually make it you never know. Thanks for the warning.

David said...

Mary, Well we both like Limoncello and Tiramisu... Too bad that they don't quite work together! The idea or concept sounds right... Take Care, Big Daddy Daddy

decocinasytacones said...

I love tiramisú, I´m sure this one tastes as good as the traditional one, I love limoncelo, so I have no doubt.
Love and happy Easter holidays!!!
Marialuisa

daniela64 said...

I love Tiramisu 'and with your limoncello is fantastic. Hugs Daniela.

Pondside said...

We like 'tart' up here, so I may give this a try. Thank you for the tip about the syrup though!
You had a very wise daddy!

lindaraxa said...

I am so glad I read this post as I too have been meaning to test this recipe. Now I know!

Angie said...

Looked yummy but I do love the traditional one ...and then I read your comment ...dont think I'll bother as like you, it would cost alot to make.Thanks for the review xx

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

'm making tiramisu for Easter and when I first saw your lemon version I thought great. I love tart lemon flavors but I'm going to go with your evaluation on this recipe. I don't want to spend a lot of money to have friends not want to eat it if it is too tart. I always like your honesty.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Obituaries??? You must have been a very clever little girl!!

Arlene Delloro said...

Mary, when I saw the photo, I began to salivate. After reading your review and the ingredients, I realized exactly what you meant. I love most things lemon, but find limoncello way too tart. Better to find out now than on Easter Sunday.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Now ... that is a great introduction. Loved it.

Fondly,
Glenda

ps. I often hold a strong opinion on many things. :)

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Awww that's too bad, Mary, to go to all that expense and time and not meet your high standards! It sure looks pretty, though! I can't wait to see what you come up with for Easter dessert. xo

Deb in Hawaii said...

I'm sorry that it didn't turn out as expected Mary--it is such a pretty dessert and I love the idea of lemon tiramisu.

Cathleen said...

Wow, this definitely looks like something I want to make soon. Yum!

Red Nomad OZ said...

So ... how are you going to end your Easter meal NOW?!?!

June said...

Wow. Pucker power for sure and I guarantee, that much of our homemade limoncello would lead to alcohol poisoning. Just sayin'. LOL I think it looks beautiful though and it's a shame you were disappointed. Unfortunately I'm still without a kitchen so I'm cooking vicariously through you.

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