“La Dolce Vita”
It has been over four years, since I began my love affair with all things Italian. No more than a month after filing for divorce, I wiped the tears from my face, grabbed my Mastercard and bought a ticket to Florence, Italy. F&*#k it … I was free to do whatever I wanted. Single Cicily was going to Italy. Land of gorgeous men, food, wine, architecture, language…
All I wanted was beautiful, during a very ugly time in my life. Divorce’s bitter ways, was not going to steal the sweetness out of my life.
After, watching Diane Lane in Under a Tuscan Sun, I was ready to get on a plane and fly half way across the world to Tuscany. I wonder how many divorced Amercian women, made the exact same move. Without telling a soul, aside from my immediate family, I left for my first solo adventure.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdJGMZDY0-8?rel=0]
During my 10 day excursion in Tuscany, I did nothing but EAT PASTA, DRINK WINE, SLEEP, EAT PASTA, DRINK WINE, SLEEP, EAT PASTA, DRINKWINE, SLEEP, get hit on by Italian men and occasionally go to the musuems to view classic paintings.
Basically a single divorced mom’s dream. No responsibilities. No diapers. No divorce attorneys. No ex husbands. Just me. As they say in Italian, “Dolce Far Niente.” Meaning, the sweetness of doing nothing.
Italians taught me the greatest lesson, I discovered how to enjoy myself, for the first time in my life.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg3n9z5zuJg?rel=0]
Secondly, the Italians taught me how wonderful the experience of cooking can be. Instead of slaving over a stove all day, I was creating master pieces that tempt my tastebuds. I love cooking now! Even if it is just for myself.
Tonight, I shall share with you my favorite Tiramisu recipe. Very easy to make and anyone who eats it, will fall in love with you.
Ingredients:
– 4 eggs
– 4 tablespoon of confectioner sugar
– 250gr mascarpone cheese (since it’s imported from Italy I’m not using cups measurements as it’s an imported product)
– ladyfingers or savoiardi biscuits
– (about 2 cups) espresso coffee
Make some coffee to dip in your lady fingers and set aside.
To make the cream mixture you have to separate 4 eggs yolk from the whites.
Use an electric whisk to whip 4 eggs whites with 2 spoons of confectioner sugar and a few grains of salt until stiff but not dry.
With a wooden spoon, stir in 250gr of mascarpone cheese until smooth. . As soon as both of the creams are ready, you have to mix them from the bottom to the top with a spatula……in this way your egg whites will keep their consistency.
To assemble, dip half of the ladyfingers, one at a time, in the coffee mixture and line a long flat serving dish with them.
Spoon a layer of the cream mixture over these. Add another layer of dipped ladyfingers and some chocolate chips, then spoon the remaining cream over the top.
Cover the whole thing with a thick layer of grated unsweetened chocolate/cocoa powder and leave it chilling in the fridge for min. 2 hrs. If you want, this dish can be made up to one day in advance, and in this case sprinkle cocoa powder only before serving and not in advance. It will be delicious!!
What is your favorite dessert?
What is your favorite type of food?
Love,
Sweet Cicily
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