August 21, 2015

LEMON TIRAMISU

lemon tiramisu

First tweak of my tiramisu recipe.

I spotted a recipe for lemon tiramisu in a blog and decided it was such a delicious sounding idea that I just had to make one.  Instead of making that particular recipe I experimented by adapting my usual tiramisu recipe, which I got from a friend about thirty years ago.  She got it from a German magazine when she was living there.

It makes a tiramisu that is more like a trifle than a cake.  In other words you serve it by the spoonful into bowls rather than by the slice on a plate, which is the kind of tiramisu I prefer. 

lemon tiramisu3

Second tweak of my tiramisu recipe, my favourite version, served in a lasagne dish which is not as pretty as the big bowl but probably more suitable for people to serve themselves.

I made the second one to take to a friend’s lunchtime BBQ party, having tweaked the recipe slightly again.  It was placed on the table with all the other desserts and looked nice.  I sampled a small spoonful and thought it tasted lovely.  When I went back for a second helping there was hardly any left and another guest who was poised over it said “you should get the last of this while you can, it’s delicious”.  I thanked him for his praise and he said it was a pity I hadn’t made two!

lemon tiramisu4

So now I’m writing down the recipe with the scribbled changes to my friend’s original, while I can still remember where I put the scrap of paper I wrote them on and interpret my own writing!  As always, it’s even better if you make it the day before you want to eat it, chilling it in the fridge overnight so that it becomes slightly firmer.

alphabakes

This month’s Alphabakes Challenge, organised by Caroline of Caroline Makes and Ros of The more than occasional baker, is the letter “Z”, and this tiramisu has quite a lot of lemon zest in it.

simplyeggcellent_logo1

This month’s Simply Eggcellent Challenge, created by Dom of Bellau Kitchen, is “anything goes”, as long as it has eggs in it, which this lemon tiramisu certainly does!

Ingredients

For the syrup

The juice of two lemons

The finely grated zest of one lemon

2 tblsp caster sugar

4 tblsp Limoncello

For the cheese filling

1 pack (175g) boudoir biscuits + possibly a few extra from another pack, depending on the size and shape of your dish

4 egg yolks

3 egg whites

3 heaped tblsp caster sugar

350g mascarpone cheese

the coarsely grated zest of one lemon for decoration

Method

Begin by zesting and juicing the lemons.  I used a lemon zester to get the ribbon-like strips for decoration and a fine grater to get the finely grated rind for the syrup.

For the syrup, mix together the lemon juice, Limoncello, fine zest and 2 tblsp caster sugar in a small bowl – but one big enough to dip in your boudoir biscuits.  Set aside.

Next, separate the eggs, putting 4 yolks in a large bowl with the 3 tblsp caster sugar.  Put 3 of the whites into a medium bowl.

Whip the egg yolks and sugar together using an electric whisk, until pale and thick.  Beat in the mascarpone cheese until smooth.

Whip the egg whites until stiff and fold into the cheese mixture.

To assemble the tiramisu, dip the boudoir biscuits one at a time into the syrup and create a single layer in the bottom of your dish.  Add half the cheese mixture.

Repeat using the rest of the biscuits, making only a single layer on top of the cheese mixture and opening a second packet of biscuits if needed according to the shape of your dish.  Brush any remaining syrup over this layer of biscuits.

Spread the rest of the cheese mixture over the biscuits, making sure you go right to the edge of the dish, leaving no gaps. 

Chill in the fridge for at least four hours and preferably overnight.

Serve chilled and sprinkle the reserved strips of lemon rind over the dessert before serving.

Serves 8.

13 comments:

  1. This really does sound delicious! I think it looks good in both dishes, with the red one being a bit more practical for an outdoor meal or to transport.

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  2. P.S. What is a boudoir biscuit?

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    1. Boudoir biscuit = sponge finger = langue de chat.

      It does sound delish. I'm a big fan of limoncello. Did you know that you can make an Italian style kir royale using limoncello and prosecco or franciacorta? I'm sure tiramisu is traditionally supposed to be like trifle and not like cake btw.

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    2. That lemon kir sounds interesting, I will try it.
      We are already fond of the occasional Bellini, which is prosecco and peach juice. The peach juice is difficult to get in the UK so we usually buy it here to take with us.

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    3. Boudoir biscuits are also called savoyard biscuits.

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  3. Susan... sponge finger [or trifle finger]... but not "langue de chat" which is in fact a very thin biscuit!
    We have the ingredients for the kir....
    I'd better make sure that Pauline doesn't read this!!

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  4. Jean... this is a very useful recipe as it uses EGGS....
    what we need right now is one that uses COURGETTES!!
    Preferably in the quantities that the eggs are in in this recipe...
    or greater!!

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    Replies
    1. http://www.elizabethskitchendiary.co.uk/2015/08/broad-bean-courgette-soup.html/
      http://greensideup.ie/courgette-cake-recipe/

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  5. A lovely refreshing take on a popular recipe, this would be a brilliant dessert at a barbecue I'm sure! Thanks for sharing with Alphabakes.

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  6. oooh, what a lovely idea! I love lemon and well I love anything sweet and creamy so win win win!... a brilliant link to Simoly Eggcellent, thank you x

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  7. Just made it and will have it tomorrow when the family arrives. Great recipe.

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    Replies
    1. I hope it worked out ok and you enjoyed it!

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  8. I just adore lemony dessert and this one looks divine, just need some lemoncello now!

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