Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a popular coffee flavored Italian dessert. The lady fingers are soaked in coffee mixture and then arranged in a large dish (or small individual cups). Then a mildly sweet mascarpone mixture is spread on it. Finally cocoa powder is sprinkled. These layers are repeated again to finish it off.

I had this beautiful dessert four years back in Olive Garden. It was one of the best bites I ever had. Later on I always dreamt of making it at home, from scratch. I tried making it but it didn't turn out the way I wanted. Later on I stumbled upon this recipe. The best part of this recipe is - it is eggless. So I did not  had to worry about eating the raw eggs. One more thing I learnt in these years is - Mascarpone cheese is a very important component of this dessert. I am lucky enough to find the cheese made in Italy. When I made using that cheese it exactly tasted like the 'Tiramisu' I had in Paris. Making this dessert is very easy provided you get the right ingredients. It is an expensive dessert but trust me its worth every bite. I hope you enjoy as much as we do. 

Ingredients:

• Mascarpone Cheese, softened - 1lb
• Heavy Whipping Cream - 1 1/2 cups
• Sugar - 1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp
• Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp (I used Vanilla bean paste)
• Strong Coffee or Espresso, freshly brewed - 2 1/2 cups
• Dark Rum - 1-2 Tbsp
• Unsweetened Cocoa powder - 2 Tbsp
• Ladyfinger - 36 (preferably Savogliardi)

Note: Mascarpone Cheese (Not Mascarpone Cream Cheese) is a very important component of Tiramisu. So make sure you buy the best cheese available, preferably the one imported from Italy.

Procedure:

Brew the coffee and allow it to cool (I use roasted coffee beans for my coffee, as it gives better flavor). Once it comes to room temperature, add 2 Tbsp of sugar and rum. Mix and set it aside until required.

Now, in a large bowl whip the heavy whipping cream until you get stiff peaks. Set this bowl in the refrigerator until required.

In another large bowl, cream softened mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract and sugar.

Once it comes together, add half of the whipped cream and mix in gently to lighten the mixture. Then add the remaining whipped cream and mix in with gentle strokes. Take care so as to not over mix the mixture.

Assembling:
Take a rectangular dish. Dip each ladyfinger in the coffee mixture and arrange in the bottom of the dish as shown below.

Then spread half of the mascarpone mixture on the arranged coffee soaked ladyfinger.

Then sprinkle the top with cocoa powder.

Repeat the same process again starting with arranging coffee soaked lady fingers (on the cocoa powder layer), then spread in the remaining mascarpone mixture. Finish it off by sprinkling cocoa powder on top.
Set it in the refrigerator for 8 - 24 hours.
Tiramisu is ready!

Above measurement serves 10 - 12 people.

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Cauliflower Pizza ~ Inspired by 'Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza'

Cauliflower Pizza is a delicious, no- sauce pizza. Generally when we think of pizza, it is just a red sauce or white sauce spread on the base. It is then topped with veggie or meat pieces and then lots of cheese. But we were proven wrong after eating this pizza at "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza". We ordered this pizza as it was the most popular one for vegetarians. That pizza was by far the most tastiest one we ever had. 

I was very much inspired and hence wanted to recreate it. First time I tried it and it tasted good but turned out little dry as I didn't drizzle olive oil on top. Second time it turned out perfect and my husband was the most happiest person. For the pizza base, I used this recipe. For the toppings, I noted down from their website and also referred this recipe. Do try this recipe and I am sure you will enjoy it as much as we did. The effort required to make this is really worth it!!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• All Purpose Flour (Maida) - 1 3/4 cup
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1/2 tsp 
• Olive Oil - 1 Tbsp+ extra for coating dough
• Luke warm water - 1/2 cup + 1/6 cup
• Yeast - 1 tsp

For Topping:

• Cauliflower, medium sized - 1
• Garlic pods - 6-7
• Olive Oil - 3-4 Tbsp + extra for drizzling on top
• Red Chilli flakes - To taste
• Salt and Pepper - To taste
• Bread crumbs (I used Panko) - 1/3 cup
• Mozzarella Cheese, shredded - 1/3 to 1/2 cup
• Romano cheese, shredded - 1/3 to 1/2 cup

Procedure:

Making Dough:

Add yeast and sugar to the luke warm water (110 F). Mix and set it aside until it becomes frothy. 

Now take flour, salt, oil in a bowl. 

Mix well and add the yeast mixture. Now mix in everything until everything comes together and then knead it for 10 minutes, to get a soft, non- sticky dough (I made it in a standing mixer).
Now keep the dough in a greased bowl. Then brush the top of the dough with little oil (to prevent it from drying). Close the bowl with a towel or cling wrap and place it in a warm place, until it doubles (1 - 1 1/2 hrs).

While the dough is rising, prepare the topping.
For Topping:

Peel the garlic pods and slice it. Then wash the cauliflower and cut it into small sized florets.

Now heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a pan and fry sliced garlic until it turns golden brown. Then transfer it to a plate.

Now add the remaining olive oil in the same pan and add cauliflower florets, salt, pepper and red chilli flakes.

Mix well and fry it on medium flame until it turns golden brown. Then turn off the heat and set it aside.

Assembling:

Preheat the oven to 475 F (250 C). 
Punch down the risen pizza dough.

Notes: My plan of baking the pizza: Assembling the pizza on the back of sheet pan. Then transfer it on the pizza stone (which is preheated in the oven for 20 minutes). Once I was done assembling, the pizza wouldn't slide on the stone as it was too heavy. So I directly kept the sheet pan in the oven on which it was assembled for 3-4 minutes and once it turned slightly firm, I slid it on the pizza stone for the remaining baking period.

Start spreading the dough on the pan (roughly 10 inches in diameter) in which you want to bake the pizza. I used the back of a rectangular pan.

Once you are done making the base, start spreading the roasted cauliflower. 

Once done, start spreading the bread crumbs. 

Then spread mozzarella cheese and romano cheese. When done, drizzle olive oil (as much as your heart desires) on the top.

Then bake it in the oven until the base turns golden brown and the cheese is all melted and slight brown ( around 15 minutes).

Once done remove from the oven and slice it using a pizza cutter or knife. 
Cauliflower Pizza is ready!!

Serve it hot. Above measurement serves three people.

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Roasted Cauliflower Pasta

Roasted Cauliflower Pasta is a very simple, delicious pasta and if you are a cauliflower lover then this recipe is going to be a treat! My husband loves cauliflower. He always makes sure that I have a head of cauliflower in the refrigerator at any point of time! 

Few months back, I tried this recipe and we liked it a lot. I have been making it since then, with couple of variations. Recently my husband suggested to roast the cauliflower instead of cooking it in water (or stock). He wanted the florets to remain crispy. I did as suggested and to our surprise it turned out awesome and we enjoyed it a lot. Hence I decided to share this recipe. This pasta always reminds us of the awesome Cauliflower pizza of "Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza".

Ingredients:

• Penne Pasta(or any desired shape) - 1/2 lb
• Cauliflower, medium sized - 1 head
• Garlic pods- 6-7
• Red Chilli flakes- 1/2 tsp
• Parsley, chopped- 1 Tbsp
• Parmesan Cheese, grated - 1/4 cup
• Butter- 1/2 Tbsp
• Olive Oil- 3-4 Tbsp
• Salt & Pepper - To taste

Procedure:

Peel the garlic pods and slice it. Then wash the cauliflower and cut it into small sized florets.

Now heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a pan and fry sliced garlic until it turns golden brown. Then transfer it to a plate.

Now add the remaining olive oil in the same pan and add cauliflower florets, salt, pepper and red chilli flakes.

Mix well and fry it on medium flame until it turns golden brown.

While the cauliflower is getting roasted, heat a big pot of water with salt. Cook the pasta as per the package instructions.

Once the pasta looks cooked, take 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta. Now add drained pasta, fried garlic to the roasted cauliflower.

Then add butter, little pasta cooked water, chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese.

Mix it well and cook the mixture for a minute or until everything comes together. Turn off the heat. Roasted Cauliflower Pasta is ready!!

Serve it hot. Above measurement serves two people generously.

March 28, 2016 Update: Fry 3-4 Tbsp of 'Panko' breadcrumbs in a tsp of oil until it turns golden brown. Then sprinkle it right before serving. The bread crumbs adds a wonderful crunch and the pasta tastes much better. 

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Roasted Red Bell Pepper Panini

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Panini is a grilled Italian sandwich. It is a simple recipe and can be put together very easily. I just love its simplicity. From many months I have been following Laura who is a very good cook and I love her recipes. I don't miss any of her videos. I combined two of her recipes (Panini and Roasted peppers recipe) and came up with this recipe. I cannot thank her enough for all the recipe videos and inspiring me to explore new things.

I am also fortunate to lay my hands on amazing freshly baked bread and wonderful fresh cheese in our local store. Do give this a try sometime and I am sure you will love it too :-) 

Ingredients:

• Fresh Bread, Italian style- 6 Slices
• Red Bell Pepper, medium sized- 1
• Fresh Mozzarella (in water)- 1 ball
• Garlic pods, big sized- 3-4
• Italian Seasoning- To taste
• Freshly ground peppercorns- To Taste
• Salt- To Taste

Note: About Bread- Any type of bread can be used. Just keep in mind that the crust of the bread should be hard so that it holds its shape even after it is grilled.

About Mozzarella- I strongly recommend to use the fresh cheese in water. if it is not available then use the shredded ones. But fresh cheese really adds a lot of taste.

About Bell Pepper- I strongly recommend to use the red ones as it has a mild flavor when compared to the green ones.

Procedure:

Cut the red bell pepper into strips and slice the garlic.

Now heat olive oil in a pan and add the garlic and red bell pepper. Fry them on a high heat until they get roasted (Care should be taken while frying. Heat should be in such a way that the veggie doesn't get soggy). Once done sprinkle salt and turn off the heat.

Meanwhile slice the mozzarella cheese.

Now take a slice of bread and spread the roasted red bell pepper pieces.

Then place two slices of mozzarella cheese.

Now sprinkle the ground pepper and Italian seasoning.

Now place another slice of bread and spread oil on the outer side of the top and bottom bread.

Now put this in a panini maker until it turns crispy and golden brown (If you don't have a panini maker then fry it on a skillet on both sides).

Once done cut it and serve immediately. Roasted Red Bell Pepper Panini is ready!!

Above measurement makes three paninis.

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