Tag: European
Tiramisu
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts. It originated in the late 60’s/early 70’s from the region of Treviso in Italy, where ladyfinger biscuits are dipped in either coffee or espresso, then layered with mascarpone, dusted with cocoa on top. Some recipes will include brandy, cognac, rum, or marsala to enhance the coffee flavor. This dessert is extremely easy to prepare, especially for novices in the kitchen.
Equipment
- standing mixer
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs yolks and whites separated
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 8 oz mascarpone
- 24 ladyfingers
- 2 cups coffee or espresso
- cocoa powder
Instructions
- Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a standing mixer.
- Add in the mascarpone and briefly mix. Remove from the mixing bowl.
- Beat the egg whites until they peak.
- Fold in the mascarpone mix.
- Dip each ladyfinger in the coffee.
- Arrange in a single layer in a 9”x5” glass dish.
- Pour half of the mascarpone batter over the lady fingers.
- Place one more layer of the coffee dipped ladyfingers on top of the mascarpone.
- Pour the rest of the mascarpone batter over the ladyfingers.
- Lightly dust the top with cocoa powder. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours; preferably overnight.
Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti Carbonara
Carbonara dates back to Rome right after WW2 when American army soldiers were living in Italy. It was said that bacon and eggs were incorporated to the pasta, calling it “spaghetti breakfast.” The preparation of carbonara consists of spaghetti tossed in the fat of guanciale or pancetta. A mixture of eggs, pecorino romano, and black pepper is tossed with the pasta off the heat to prevent the eggs from curdling. Then the pork is tossed back in with the pasta. Other variations of this dish include using bucatini, fettuccine, linguine, or penne pasta; parmesan cheese instead of pecorino; and adding peas, broccoli, mushrooms, leeks, and onions.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- 3 tbsp salt
- 8 oz pancetta or guanciale or bacon; diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 4 oz pecorino romano or parmesan; shredded
- 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil with the salt. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions 2 minutes shy of being done; reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta without rinsing.
- In a large sauté pan, brown the pancetta until crispy over medium heat; about 7-8 minutes. Remove from the pan, reserving the fat.
- Toss in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add in the pasta, coating with the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Beat together the eggs, pecorino, and black pepper.
- Turn off the heat and toss in the egg mixture and pasta water; coating the spaghetti.
- Toss the pancetta with the spaghetti.
Steak Frites with Maitre D Butter
Steak Frites with Maitre d Butter
Steak frites is a classic French dish that is simply steak and fries. Popular cuts of beef to use are strip loin, hangar, skirt, and top sirloin. Traditionally, the steak is pan fried, but grilling or broiling are acceptable. The steak is topped with some fancy Maitre d butter, making the steak unbelievably flavorful; allowing the fries to sop up the buttery steak juices.
Ingredients
- 16 oz NY Strip steak
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- French fries of your choice
Maitre D Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 tsp parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 pinch smoked paprika
Instructions
- Let the steak rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Start your charcoal in a chimney starter. Pour the gray charcoal in the grill and put on the grate. Place the steak over the charcoal.
- Grill for 5-6 minutes a side for medium rare. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Maitre D Butter
- Mix all of the butter ingredients in a small bowl. Place in the freezer until firm.
Put a tbsp of the maitre d butter on the steak and serve with your favorite fries.
