The heavenly dessert Tiramisu

Say Tango Italiano with Tiramisu. Tiramisu in Italian means ‘pick-me-up’… giving a ‘lift’ from low spirits.

The author of Cupcakes Galore, Gail Wagman, says, "Tiramisu is an Italian cake usually made with sponge cake or ladyfingers soaked in a mixture of coffee and Marsala, filled with mascarpone cream and topped with grated chocolate." It is a cool, refreshing Italian dessert that once tasted, leaves an indelible impression on you. Add in just a slight bite on the tongue, and tantalizing hint of the liquor. Suddenly, you get a teeny explosion of chocolate on your tongue that disappears in a flash.

Relished by celebrities like Pooja Bedi and Fardeen Khan, Tiramisu is one of the latest additions to the Mumbaikaars’ food palette, which is finding its way to tickle the ordinary mumbaikars’ tastebuds as well.

History of Tiramisu
Also known as "Tuscan Trifle," the dessert was initially created in Siena, in the northwestern Italian province of Tuscany. The occasion was a visit by Grand Duke Cosimo de'Medici III, in whose honor the concoction was dubbed zuppa del duca (the "duke's soup. The original recipe called for custard and only recently has Mascarpone cheese (triple-creme cheese) been substituted.

Three types of Tiramisu
· Basic Tiramisu
Tiramisu basically includes Mascarpone cheese, raw eggs, sugar, espresso coffee, ladyfingers, liquor and cocoa. Heavy cream is an optional ingredient. The richness and taste depend on the quantity of each ingredient and the care of preparation.
· Tiramisu varieties
Tiramisu of 21st century is experiencing innovative changeovers. Chefs all over the world are trying their best culinary skills to work out extraordinary Tiramisus. Be it experimenting with different kinds of wines or altering any ingredient to suit the taste better!
· Healthy Tiramisu
"Healthy Tiramisu" is the safe option for those ultimate, calorie-conscious dessert-lovers who would shun this heavenly dessert because of high fat content or the raw eggs.

Mumbai is also going the Italian way the big way. Recently, Hyatt Regency, Mumbai introduced Tiramisu in its menu as well! Many other restaurants in Mumbai are coming up with their own variation with this dessert. " I love the tiramisu at Olive," says an ardent Tiramisu fan, Mr. A D Singh.

Ten Tiramisu hubs in Mumbai
· Amore Gelato Parlour, Bandra
· Celini, Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
· Staxx Staxx, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Mumbai
· Casalinga, Andheri
· Monza, Garden Court, Phoenix Mills
· Bohemia Café, Juhu
· Mocha
· Kobe
· Little Italy (pure veg), Juhu

Three assorted books for recipes
· Epicure's Delectable Desserts Of The World, Asha Khatau
· Tiramisù, Lorenzo Milanesi
· Italian al dente (ISBN: 1856056511)

Simple Tiramisu Recipe 1 pound of mascarpone cheese1 cup of heavy whipping cream1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons rum (brandy also works well)~20 lady's fingers (a light, oblong italian cookie with powdered sugar on one side) cocoa powder a double shot of espresso 1/2 cup of coffee, and shavings of unsweetened dark chocolate to top (1 oz. should do).Chill whipping cream and bowl. Mix coffee and espresso and chill. Beat whipping cream until stiff peaks. Put the cheese, sugar, and brandy into a medium bowl and mix until smooth. Add more sugar or alcohol as desired. Fold in whipping cream to create cheese mixture. Soak lady fingers in espresso for a couple seconds, rotating to coat all sides. Place lady fingers side by side on bottom of a 7x7 pan. Put half the cheese mixture on lady fingers in pan. Smooth with a spatula or spoon. Sift cocoa powder liberally on surface of layer. Apply second layer of lady fingers and remaining cheese. Sift cocoa powder and half of chocolate shavings. Cover in plastic wrap and chill. To serve, use the remaining chocolate shavings by sprinkling a bit onto eight plates. Cut tiramisu into eight rectangles and serve on plates (or simply spoon them out).

Six interesting Tiramisu variations
· CADBURY INDIA has launched Cadbury Dairy Milk Desserts chocolate with tiramisu flavour
· Try almond tiramisu - almond filling is combined with traditional ingredients in this variation of the popular dessert
· Tiramisu may be made with sponge cake instead of ladyfingers (an essential ingredient). Ladyfingers can also line the side of the mould instead of being placed on the bottom and in between layers
· A superb Tiramisu variation – filled with soft tutti-fruti, only white biscuit (no coffee) and completely covered with white chocolate mousse
· Try chocolate Tiramisu, Tiramisu with berries or even spiced pumpkin Tiramisu
· "Try a layered tiramisu in two different colours, one layer with strawberry and one with mango. At the base arrange layers of malpuas soaked with rum for a varied taste." says Chef Kaviraj Khialani (author of Arabic Cookery).

Four expert tips
· Tiramisu is one of those dishes that benefits greatly from being allowed to rest so the flavors can really mingle together
· Save time by buying the basic sponge cakes. The coffee mix liquid moistens the cake right through
· Soak ladyfingers in warm, strong, sweetened coffee to avoid getting dry centers without oversoaking
· It can be prepared in advance and kept in the freezer. Remember to remove it from the freezer enough time in advance to serve it cold at refrigerated temperature, but not frozen.

Tiramisu is like Heaven in your mouth! So…just ‘pick-it-up’!