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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Blush: Raspberry & White Chocolate Tiramisu



So I'm at work today, doing work stuff, and all I can think about is going home and picking my raspberries. It's that season again kids, and I totally love it.  I pad out into the yard, bare feet and all, which confuses the hell out of my handsome man.  "You are not wearing shoes?" he asks in a bit of sweet confusion.  And I reply, blushing just a little, "no, I love the feel of grass and dirt underfoot."  He just smiles and nods.  And slips on my Crocs.  I head back to the hot spot, against the garage and there is the towering raspberry patch.  It has exploded since last year, which means I sometimes have to sit on the ground to catch all of the low low low ones, then stretch to get all of the goodness smack against the garage.  Most of them go into my bowl, but if I'm telling the truth to you, and I always do, a helluva lot go in the mouth.  I relish these fleeting days of scratched up arms and mosquito bites just to pick a basket or two of my favourite berry.  The taste of sunshine is worth it.




While I do eat plenty of raspberries out of hand, they've also have been finding their way into my yogurt and cereal and muffins.  But I still can't seem to keep up with them, so I've been freezing them for cold winter days, when all I will want is a taste of summer.  Sunny would rather this was a taste of tuna.




With an almost-full container of mascarpone cheese hiding in the back of my fridge beside an almost-off container of whipping cream, I knew I had to make tiramisu.  I know, the hardships I face.




Raspberries are the perfect compliment to anything chocolate, even the white stuff.




The recipe is pretty straightforward.  I'm not going to ask you to make your own ladyfingers, but if that's your thing, go right ahead.  Nor will I ask you to incorporate raw eggs, cuz that's just not my thing.  There's some whipping and layering and folding and grating and you still have time to wash your hair.  Tiramisu is great for summer because it is so light and cakey (no oven required!) and fragrant of berries and booze.  A spoonful of this will have your eyeballs rolling back in your head.  But in a good way.  Best thing:  if you are having a party, make this the night before then just whip it out before service, grate some chocolate and top with your freshly picked berries.  Check for bugs first, natch.


 

Raspberry & White Chocolate Tiramisu  

7 Tbsp Grand Marnier or any other orange liqueur
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pound (454grams) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
28-32 lady fingers
approx 3-4 cups fresh raspberries
2 ounces (60 grams) white chocolate, grated

In the bowl of a mixer, combine the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla.  Beat until firm peaks form.  Remove to another bowl.  In the same mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with 2 tbsp of orange liqueur.  Beat until well blended.  Gently fold in 1/4 of the whipped cream mixture to lighten, then fold the remaining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
You can either layer everything in a pretty glass bowl, or use a spring form pan, like I did.  Choice is yours.  Just line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, if you are going the spring form route.  Layer ladyfingers on the bottom of your dish or pan.  Brush with the booze. Cover with half the mascarpone mixture, then half of the raspberries and half the grated chocolate.  Top with more ladyfingers, booze, mascarpone.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate over night.  Remove sides from spring form and carefully remove bottom while sliding tiramisu onto a large plate.  Paper will remain on bottom, just pay attention when slicing so no one gets a taste of paper.   Before serving, top with grated chocolate and fresh raspberries.  Serves 8-12. 






15 comments:

  1. I am so inundated with raspberries that I'm tired of picking them! So much jam and frozen berries and muffins and cake and syrup! And I thrust containers full on anyone who gets too close. But the best part? Picking them barefoot in my pjs first thing in the morning to put on my cereal! (I totally get the barefoot thing :))

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  2. I wish raspberries grew out here! Just the idea of picking them myself and eating the berries outside with bare feet sounds wonderful. I love tiramisu and the whole no baking thing.

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  3. Oh my this tiramisu is gorgeous! And now I wish I had my own raspberry bush.

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  4. Marsha@localsask.caJuly 27, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    Thank you so much for posting - sounds delish & can't wait to try!!

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  5. I am so pleased to have found your blog, it is beautiful and inspiring! I am a former Manitoban now living in the state of Wisconsin, so I am happy to find a connection to the prairie provinces. This post reminds me of picking raspberries in my mother-in-law's backyard in Edmonton. But she never made anything quite this lovely with her berries :)

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  6. Literally whipped this up in minutes last night and am about to take it out for final touches before a dinner party with friends tonight. Once again Renee, a gorgeous dessert!!

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  7. Melissa, isn't the barefoot picking in the morning the best? Jess and Kels, I wish you could grow raspberries too! Marsha, you are welcome - let me know how it turns out. Devil's Food, I'm so happy you found my site. You are too kind :)
    Candus, I love how you make my recipes! You are indeed a good friend :)

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    1. Oh and it was indeed a hit!! Made for a delicious dessert, fantastic bedtime snack and now, yummy brekkie!!!

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  8. What is more endearing than raspberries...You made it even more delightful to devour Renee. What pretty pictures you have!
    Anyways, your phenomenal photos have caught our attention, we have been in the lookout for unique and interesting bloggers since we have launched our food photo gallery http://www.yumgoggle.com/gallery/ This will allow you to showcase all your great work and share it with our visitors. We’d be proud to have your work as part of our growing collection to continue to have a larger reach and further inspire all fellow food lovers out there!

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  9. This raspberry tiramisu must be sensational! I'm printing off your recipe right now and I can't thank you enough for sharing it. Now following your lovely blog! Keep up the great work!

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  10. I love raspberries and chocolate and I like this idea! Beautiful pictures!

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  11. Renee, Another gorgeous post! White chocolate and raspberries seem to be made for each other. And tiramisu is pure deliciousness. ( I need to make some GF ladyfingers so I can indulge too)
    And about your raspberries... so jealous! My own patch is looking sickly and there's not a berry is sight. I'm thinking they may just not get enough sun in the foggy Bay Area. Oh well.
    xxoo
    E

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  12. What GORGEOUS food photography. Love your style.

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  13. This looks amazing - my friend Tim loves white chocolate and tiramisu, so I think I will make this for his birthday.

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