An Italian pick me up

It's not surprising that Tiramisù is the Italian for “pick me up”. 

Whilst Tiramisu is likely the most well-known and well-loved Italian dessert, it's a real pick me up in whatever language you happen to be cooking in.

Here's my twist on this favourite dessert. 

Ingredients: 

3 egg yolks

75g or 3 ounces of caster sugar 

2 x 250g/9 ounce tubs of mascarpone cheese 

85ml of Kahlua or coffee liqueur

200ml of cold strong coffee or espresso (espresso is best option)

14 boudoir or sponge finger biscuits

2 x Cadbury flakes 

Cocoa powder for dusting 

Method: 

1. Place the egg yolks in a bowl with the caster sugar and beat together until the colour is pale and the consistency is thick. An electric hand whisk works best for this. 

2. Add the mascarpone cheese tubs and whisk gently and slowly until the mixture is pale and really smooth. 

3. Add one tablespoon of the Kahlua or coffee liqueur and whisk until all combined. 

Set to one side 

4. Mix the cold coffee with the remainder of the Kahlua in a shallow dish. 

To assemble 

Dip half the boudoir biscuits into the coffee mixture until they are soaked but not disintegrating and arrange the first lot of biscuits in the bottom if four glass coffee cups, breaking them up if necessary to fit.

Add half the mascarpone mixture divided equally between the four glass cups. 

Break up the flake into small crumbly pieces and sprinkle over the mascarpone mixture. 

Repeat the layers of biscuit soaked in coffee, mascarpone and flaked flake - you will get two layers in each glass. 

Cover with cling film and refrigerate 

Serving suggestions: 

Just before serving sprinkle each one with cocoa powder

The beauty of this dessert is in the layers as well as the taste so serving in glass dishes/cups works really well. 

For party fancies make the same mixture and serve in shot glasses with extra coffee liqueur for a delicious late night sugar rush.  

Variations: 

* swap out the coffee liqueur for something like Baileys for a tiramisu twist 

Enjoy this little pick me up 

Brenda 

Xx

Easy Saturday Chicken

This one is easy like a Sunday morning (hum or play the Commodores song for full effect) 

But I recommend this as an easy Saturday dish for hearty lunch or dinner. 

Ingredients: 

8 chicken thighs 

10-12 chicken drumsticks 

5 large potatoes peeled and cut into wedges 

2 large red onions cut into wedges (or however you like as long as they are chunky pieces) 

4 large carrots cut into chunks 

1 large chorizo sausage twist cut into medium sized pieces 

6 cloves of garlic 

Salt and pepper 

3 tbsp of Olive oil 

Sprigs of fresh rosemary 

Preparation: 

It's the simplest ever and it's four steps

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C 

1. Throw all the veg and garlic onto a large roasting dish 

2. Place the chicken on top and the rosemary sprigs 

3. Season with salt and pepper 

4. Cook for hour to hour and 15 mins basting the chicken during cooking to keep it moist. 

Tips: 

Use two roasting tins if you need to as you want all the food to have loads of space to cook and caramelise 

Serve with crusty bread, creamy mash or rice with a nice glass of hearty red wine. 

(Very little clean up afterwards which is always a bonus) 

Enjoy 

Brenda 

Xx