Tiramisù: A Dessert with a #Wicked Past By Joanne Guidoccio #recipe #WickedWednesday

WICKED WEDNESDAY

It's always a pleasure to have Joanne guest on Discover... And it's a wickedly yummy spot today.

Several myths and legends surround this delectable dessert that has become a staple in Italian (and many non-Italian) restaurants worldwide.

Here’s my favorite legend…

In the late nineteenth century, the competition among the bordellos in Venice was extremely fierce. Hoping to attract more customers, one bordello offered espresso coffee as a complimentary beverage. Other bordellos followed suit.

As the competition escalated, so did the treats. Savoiardi Cookies (similar to lady fingers) and sweet liqueurs were added as further enticements. An enterprising Madam decided to combine all these ingredients—espresso coffee, savoiardi cookies, sweet liqueurs—with eggs and Mascarpone cheese.

The resulting confection was called Tiramisù (tih-ruh-mee-SOO) which means “Pick Me Up” in Italian. The patrons appreciated this energy booster that fortified them after their sexual encounters.

In one version of this story, the courtesans also treated themselves to Tiramisù between their amorous encounters. Another version suggests that the courtesans were not given this expensive treat.

If you’ve never tasted Tiramisù, imagine a light-mocha-flavored-whipped-cream concoction on lady finger pastries soaked in strong espresso coffee with a tantalizing hint of amaretto liqueur.

Here’s a tried-and-true recipe from my mother’s kitchen:

Ingredients

1 package lady fingers
250 ml Nutriwhip Lite
250 g Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese (*)
2 cups of cold, sweetened espresso coffee
½ cup amaretto liqueur
1 semi-sweet chocolate, grated

Directions

1.      Beat cream cheese using the electric mixer.

2.      In a separate bowl, whip the Nutriwhip Lite.

3.      In another bowl, combine the coffee and the amaretto.

4.      Combine cheese and Nutriwhip together.

5.      Cut the lady fingers in half, lengthwise.

6.      Place one layer at the bottom of a 9" x 13" rectangular pan.

7.      Sprinkle enough of the coffee/amaretto mixture to cover the lady fingers.

8.      Spread the cheese/Nutriwhip mixture on the lady fingers.

9.      Continue layering. The top layer must be the cheese mixture.

10.  Cover with grated chocolate.

11.  Refrigerate for 24 hours.

*Feel free to substitute Mascarpone cheese.

You can find Tiramisù and seven other dessert recipes in A Season for Killing Blondes, Book 1 in the Gilda Greco Mystery Series.

Blurb

Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the dead body of golden girl Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside her office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation.

When three more dead blondes turn up all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders. Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

***On sale for 99 cents – September 13 to September 27***

Buy Links

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Nook - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-season-for-killing-blondes-joanne-guidoccio/1122024545

Bio

A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne Guidoccio writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romances, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Website: https://joanneguidoccio.com