Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of the most popular Italian desserts in the world. The classic recipe for the dish requires a lot of time, ingredients and preparation. According to the cooking technology, this sweetness should be kept in the refrigerator for several hours and only then served. The wait turned out to be so painful that culinary experts have created hundreds of alternative versions of tiramisu. Among them you can find simple and quick recipes, as well as dishes for vegans / vegetarians, children, people with dairy intolerance, egg-free variations and more.

General characteristics of the dessert

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that consists of several layers. ^[1]. Its name is translated from Italian as “cheer me up” or “raise me to heaven.” The composition of the classic dish includes such products: savoiardi cookies, mascarpone cheese, coffee (mainly espresso), chicken eggs, granulated sugar ^[2]. At the final stage of preparation, tiramisu is sprinkled with cocoa powder, decorated with nuts, berries and a sprig of mint.

Savoiardi or ladies’ fingers are biscuit cookies, which are made in the form of an elongated flat oval, and are covered with sugar grains on top. The sticks easily absorb various liquids and soak inside, while maintaining their shape. Savoiardi is used not only for tiramisu, but also for Russian charlotte, ice cream cakes, or eaten as an independent dessert.

Tiramisu is considered one of the most popular sweets in the world. There are many adaptations of its recipe that cater to the taste needs of different populations. For example, cocoa powder is replaced with grated dark chocolate, savoiardi cookies with denser cookies or biscuits, coffee impregnation with alcohol or fruit juice. Some varieties deviate as much as possible from the classic version, and the finished dessert becomes more like a cupcake or pudding.

Historical information

The opinion of experts on the history of the emergence of tiramisu is divided ^[3]. Some believe that the dessert was first prepared in the XNUMXth century in honor of the Italian duke from the Medici family. Written confirmation of this theory has not been preserved, so the number of its adherents is minimal.

The second version says that the first tiramisu was prepared in Carnia (Italy) in the 50s of the last century. The assumption is based on the menu and report of the Roma Hotel, which was located in one of the Italian communes. The creators of the dessert are considered to be the managers who ran the hotel from 1947 to 1969. The restaurant and the managers themselves have received multiple awards from the Academy of Italian Cuisine, which adds points to the theory and makes it more plausible.

The first written mention of tiramisu dates back to 1971, but the information of 1981 is considered the most significant. The Vin Veneto quarterly indicated that the dessert was created by confectioner Roberto Linguanotto in the late 60s of the XNUMXth century. The place of creation of the world culinary masterpiece is also indicated – the restaurant “Alle Beccherie” ^{[4] [5]}. The journalist who published the column focused on the name of the dessert. He emphasized that the translation of the name of the dessert “take me to the sky” has nothing to do with its aphrodisiac properties, but simply indicates the taste of the ingredients of tiramisu.

Written testimonies are not the only source of information. Until today, many legends about the origin of tiramisu have been preserved. Everyone wanted to attribute to himself the authorship of the dessert, having received world fame and material wealth. Even litigation came to a standstill, not satisfying either side. Dessert has become a culinary heritage of the whole world. Given the number of variations and recipes, everyone can become the author of a new unique tiramisu.

Chemical composition

The table shows the content of nutrients (calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) ^[6].

Classic tiramisu recipe

We need:

• mascarpone – 500 grams;
• vanilla sugar – 30 grams;
• egg – 5 pieces;
• powdered sugar – 100 grams;
• ground coffee – 4 tablespoons;
• cinnamon sticks – 2 pieces;
• savoiardi cookies – 18 pieces;
• cocoa powder – 10 grams;
• Amaretto liqueur – 60 milliliters (can be replaced with aromatic liquor / rum / cognac to taste);
• raspberries – 250 grams;
• mint for decoration.

Preparation

Separate egg yolks from whites. Beat the whites with a mixer at medium speed for about 3 minutes, add powdered sugar to the yolks and beat too. Both egg mixtures should acquire a dense, uniform consistency. Combine the mascarpone and vanilla sugar in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Gently add egg yolks and whites to the same container, beat the contents again. At this stage, it is best to beat the mass with an electric whisk to achieve the perfect consistency.

Pour boiling water over cinnamon sticks and ground coffee, leave to brew. It is desirable that the coffee be strong. At this time, break the savoiardi sticks in half and distribute them among 6 bowls / bowls / deep plates. Fill each serving of savoiardi with strong alcohol (10 milliliters), coffee (50 milliliters), top with a mixture of mascarpone and beaten eggs. Garnish with cocoa, raspberries and mint sprigs. Cocoa is best sprinkled through a strainer to avoid lumps. The finished dessert can be served immediately or put in the refrigerator for several hours so that the layers of tiramisu are soaked and absorb the flavor of each ingredient.

eggless vegan tiramisu recipe

Ingredients for biscuit:

• whole grain flour – 250 grams;
• nut / plant milk – 125 milliliters;
• sweetener (honey / maple syrup) – 4 tablespoons;
• grape seed oil (can be replaced with your favorite vegetable oil) – 5 tablespoons;
• chopped vanilla – 1 tablespoon;
• chopped cinnamon – 1 tablespoon;
• soda – ½ teaspoon;
• apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon;
• a pinch of salt.

Coffee Ingredients:

• coffee – 125 grams;
• liqueur – 2 tablespoons.

Ingredients for coffee and chocolate cream:

• cocoa – 1 tablespoon;
• coffee – 1 tablespoon.

Ingredients for cream:

• nuts – 300 grams;
• nut / plant milk – 250 milliliters;
• vanilla – 1 pod;
• crushed cinnamon – ½ teaspoon;
• sweetener to taste;
• coconut / other vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon;
• a pinch of chopped nutmeg.

Beat all the components of the cream with a blender and divide into 2 equal parts. Gently stir coffee and cocoa into one of them. Put both creamy masses in the refrigerator for several hours. Cover the cream with cling film to protect it from foreign odors.

Preheat oven to 180°C. At this time, prepare the base for the biscuit. Whisk together oil, spices and syrup. Pour the sifted whole grain flour, soda, salt into the finished mixture. In a separate container, thoroughly mix the milk with vinegar and add to the biscuit base. Put the finished mass on parchment and bake for an average of 30 minutes. The finished biscuit must be cooled before further use.

For coffee impregnation, mix coffee and strong alcohol. Once the biscuit has cooled, cut it into small serving pieces. It is best to choose the shape and size for the serving container. If you want to serve dessert in a round bowl, then the dessert can be cut out around the shape of the bottom. Soak each piece of biscuit in coffee impregnation and only then put it into the mold. Top with a layer of vanilla cream, then another piece of soaked biscuit, top with coffee cream.

Ready tiramisu can be served immediately or left in the refrigerator for 5 or more hours.

Sprinkle with cocoa powder before serving.

Can tiramisu be classified as healthy food?

There is no single answer to this question. It all depends on the tiramisu recipe, the amount eaten and the goals of the person who introduces dessert into his own diet.

The classic version of the dessert is controversial. The first thing that worries both nutritionists and laymen is raw eggs. Indeed, eggs do not undergo any heat treatment and are added to the dessert to create the perfect consistency and special taste. What’s wrong with raw eggs? Firstly, a raw egg is worse absorbed by the human body. The product reduces the activity of the digestive system and some enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of proteins. Secondly, eating raw eggs can be fraught with Salmonella infection.

To eliminate the risk of infection, you can replace chicken eggs with quail. Due to the peculiarities of physiology, quails are resistant to salmonella. Moreover, the shell of quail eggs is much thicker than chicken, which provides additional security.

The next controversial component is mascarpone. It is a fatty cheese made from cow’s milk. Like any other dairy cheese, mascarpone may contain animal enzymes, antibiotics and hormones. Moreover, a special substance is released in the liver of cows, the structure and effect of which is comparable to a narcotic one. The enzyme is found in all cheeses made from cow’s milk, which is why it can be very difficult for us to stop at one slice of cheese. Mascarpone can be substituted for any soft lactose-free cheese. A wave of lactose-free dairy products has swept the world, so you can find such a product in the nearest chain supermarket.

Coffee, cocoa and sweeteners are not considered harmful products. On the contrary, their moderate use helps the body to cheer up, the psychological state to harmonize, and all body systems begin to work with renewed vigor. It is very important to take not instant, but ground coffee. It is best to buy it in grains and grind it yourself, but if this is not possible, then buy it immediately ground (or ask the seller to grind the variety you like with you).

Use coconut or maple sugar as a sweetener, not refined white sugar. If you’re willing to sacrifice the structure of the tiramisu for flavor, use honey, maple syrup, or molasses. When choosing cocoa, you need to carefully study the composition. It should not contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, sugar and various impurities. Moreover, cocoa can be replaced with a healthier surrogate – carob. ^[7].

Carob – carob ^[8]. Its nutritional value is much higher than that of cocoa, the chemical composition is more diverse, and the taste is sweeter due to the high concentration of fructose. Carob relieves a person’s condition with digestive disorders, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, has antibacterial and antifungal effects, strengthens bones, treats coughs, reduces weight, and it also has no caffeine at all.

Quality and healthy tiramisu can be found from organic brands or self-employed people who rely on a healthy menu, but it’s best to make the dessert in your own kitchen. You can choose your favorite and safe products, follow each step of preparation and bring a note of individuality to the dessert. Experiment and be healthy!

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