Monday, June 1, 2015

Nonni's Tiramisu


THE DIVA STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS involves a family with Italian roots. Nonni, the grandmother, and her husband came to the States from Italy and opened a chocolate business. When things go haywire, Nonni asks Sophie for help. She's a darling little old lady whom Sophie finds very difficult to turn down anyway but Nonni makes a deal with Sophie. In exchange for her help, Nonni will teach Sophie how to make her special Tiramisu.

If you're not familiar with this delicious dessert, it's flavored with coffee, but the star of the dish  is definitely the fabulous beaten eggs which are mixed into a marvelously light concoction when blended with mascarpone cheese and whipped cream.

This recipe easily makes enough for an elegant dinner party of eight or so people with leftovers. Use a 9x13 inch pan.

Finding the correct ladyfingers proved to be a challenge for me. I thought I was the only one who remembered soft ladyfingers from my youth. I'm not. I had to ask a friend to bring ladyfingers from out of town, and she feared she had bought the wrong thing because they weren't soft. They're crisp and dry. If you use Whole Foods brand ladyfingers, you will need 1 1/2 to 2 packages. If you use the boxed type, you will probably need more (3 boxes?) because they're smaller than Whole Foods, which are about an inch wide. Either size will work for the recipe. You need enough to make two layers of ladyfingers.

It's my understanding that Italian grandmothers are usually called Nonna, but in the Merano family, the first born grandchild called Nonna Nonni and, as these things often happen in families, it stuck.

Please note that Nonni is from a chocolate family, so she uses chocolate shavings on top of her Tiramisu. The traditional topping is cocoa powder.


Nonni's Tiramisu

1 1/4 cup strong espresso or coffee (3 tablespoons instant to 1 1/4 cup boiling water)
1/4 cup Kahlua (coffee liqueur)

4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Marsala wine
2 8-ounce containers mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2-3 packages of crisp ladyfingers (savoiardi) see above for more information
1 square semi-sweet baking chocolate

1. Mix the coffee with the Kahlua and set aside. Take the mascarpone out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

2. Find a bowl that fits on top of a pot with simmering water. A double boiler would work, or just a bowl and a pot. Bring the water to a simmer. Beat the eggs about five minutes, until they are fluffy. Add the sugar and the Marsala wine and whisk over the simmering water for about 8 minutes. It will almost double in size and be quite thick.

3. In another large bowl, use a spoon to mash the mascarpone cheese against the sides to soften it. Don't skimp on this step. Mash and stir until it's creamy. Pour the egg mixture into it and combine until smooth.

4. Whip the cream and fold it into the egg and cheese mixture.

5. Briefly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture and place in the pan, lining them up so that the pan is covered. Pour half the creamy mixture over them and spread. Repeat with a second layer.

6. Use a grater or vegetable peeler to shave the semi-sweet chocolate over the top as decoration. Refrigerate until firm, preferably overnight.


Doesn't this look creamy and decadent?

Folding in the whipped cream.
Nonni uses shaved chocolate on top.

Delicioso!







Tomorrow is a big day for Sheila and me! We both have books coming out. 
I have one copy to give away today to someone who leaves a comment. 
Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you!
Hint: click on the word COMMENT just below where you see the little pencil. 

Good luck!

64 comments:

  1. I don't care that much for tiramisu but would love to read the book! kec200@aol.com

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  2. I am drooling over these pictures. Thanks for the recipe. I will make sure to take a list so I don't forget a single ingredient!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  3. Love this Tiramisu recipe! Wow! And the book sounds super fabulous! EMS591@aol.com

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  4. I have never had tiramisu before, but the pictures look so good! Thank you for the recipe. Thank you for the chance to win a copy for your book (I adore your Diva series).
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. One of my favorite desserts! I always order it at Italian restaurants even if has to be to go. Will definitely try recipe & Diva Steals A Chocolate Kiss is going on my TBR list at the top!

    Tennisace50(@)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. OMGosh - Heaven on a plate!!! Can't wait for your new book.....

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  7. That looks so good! Pinning it.Thanks!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  8. Wish I could have it for breakfast this morning -- it does have coffee in it! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  9. Congrats to you and Sheila! Both books are on my wishlist.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  10. Wow! That recipe looks great. I'm gonna have to try this one. And the book looks great! Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  11. I love Tiramisu and this recipe is being printed as I type. Will be making it this week. YUMMMM.

    Being from an Italian family we do have a Nonna and a Mom-Mom. I can't wait for tomorrow for The Diva Steals a Kiss. I have Privy to the Dead on my list as well!

    busymother@gmail.com

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  12. My family and I love Tiramisu but I haven't tried to make it. Your recipe doesn't look too daunting, thanks for sharing it.

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  13. Homemade tiramisu sounds wonderful.
    A question on making it--
    "Bring the water to a simmer. Beat the eggs about five minutes, until they are fluffy. Add the sugar and the Marsala wine and whisk over the simmering water for about 8 minutes. It will almost double in size and be quite thick."
    This is all done over the simmering water, in the double boiler? Or are the eggs beaten first elsewhere and then cooked with the sugar and wine in the double boiler?

    Thanks for a yummy temptation.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. Libby, it's all done over the simmering water. It sounds like a loong time to keep whisking but it wasn't too bad.

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    2. Thanks for the clarification.

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  14. Tiramisu using correct ingredients is like a trip to heaven to Italians. This has all the right stuff. I am sure the book is as good as the recipe.
    bobntoni@aol.com

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  15. Yum! Congrats on your new book, to you and to Shelia. Thanks for the opportunity yo win a copy.
    frybbe@gmail.com

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  16. I love tiramisu and I love your Diva mysteries. I would love to win this thank you for the chance!
    Frauenb@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Brian! You won a copy of The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss!

      Delete
  17. Looks good. I love your books. Cmkeck311@aol.com

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  18. Well now I guess I have to bake this. My family french (immediate almost all gone) husbands family Sicilian Italian! He loves tirimasu. Here's something interesting my family used to make lady fingers all the time, soft! French. I always tell my husband bottle of champagne and a heavy cream sauce and I'm there, tomatoe sauce nope.

    Ready for a chocolate kiss though! ezrag2@aol.com

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  19. Looks delicious and I bet the Book is as well. I hope to get to read it. Thank you for the giveaway...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  20. I loved those ladyfingers. I think my mom bought them especially for me. We were the only ones in the family that ate them. Your recipe sounds wonderful. Congratulations to you and Sheila on your new books. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. There aren't enough meals in the day to make all the marvelous dishes I've seen through Mystery Lovers' Kitchen postings. As JRR Tolkien wrote (not exactly), " Doesn't he know about second breakfast? How 'bout elevenses?" ❤️. 📚

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  23. Oops, forgot Kathleen C. Email. kat8762@aol.com

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  24. It is much easier this way! It's tough to maneuver the blog on my mobile phone.

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  25. I forgot my email too. bpwoodfield@gmail.com

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  26. Looks great! ourbutton@yahoo.com

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  27. This recipe can easily be made low carb, so, I'm so there! Thanks for the giveaway! edithpatchan@gmail.com

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  28. Yum! That looks and sounds unbelievable! I love tiramisu, though I've never made it. Can't wait to read the new book, too! Thank you :) aleonardi@gmail.com

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  29. Love tiramasui so enjoy the recipe.

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

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  30. Love tiramasui so enjoy the recipe.

    Bettyjo.English@gmail.com

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  31. Love tiramisu . Thanks for recipie.
    xzjh04@ Gmail.com

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  32. Not a big fan of tiramisu But I love the Diva series. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  33. Oops...left out my email...Kuzlin at AOL.com

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  34. Thanks for the giveaway! I've never been a lover of Tiramisu but this recipe just might change my mind. Can't wait to read the new book. Thanks again!
    smmolloy1105@yahoo.com

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  35. The Tiramisu looks amazing. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of you book. sewwild@aol.com

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  36. I think that I just melted off the floor when I read this...drooling. I love this series, thanks for the chance to win a copy...excuse me, I have to pick myself up off the floor now.
    momzillasteel at gmail dot com

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  37. I can't wait to read the new Dive book!!!!!! kyleandemily92@yahoo.com

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  38. Looking forward to reading this one.
    dotkel50@comcast.net

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  39. looking forward to this next read! thank you... salvatoresmom71@yahoo.com

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  40. I am "salvatoresmom" Amy F..

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  41. I don't drink coffee, but love coffee flavored anything…especially tiramisu! Congratulations to you and Sheila on the forthcoming releases of your newest books!
    Nicole
    nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com :-)

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  42. This recipe looks amazing!
    lenicooks@gmail.com

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  43. Great recipe and great series
    ofhp@att.net

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  44. Great recipe and great series
    ofhp@att.net

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  45. Great recipe and great series
    ofhp@att.net

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  46. I have never made tiramisu, so I will be trying this recipe very soon. Thank you for sharing it and for have this giveaway.
    debprice60@gmail.com

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  47. One of my favorites. This sounds as if it would be a delicious version. Bobbipad@gmail.com

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  48. Recipe looks great! I might have to try it with some gf ladyfingers.
    Can't wait to read the new book!

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  49. Can't wait to read the book AND try the recipe!

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  50. Love tiramisu, it's my absolute favorite besides your books. 😘
    gaeagon@gmail.com

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  51. Anxiously waiting for the next book!

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  52. I love this series!
    Joannlowehunter@aol.com

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  53. I love tirimisu! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Joan. (Somersethouse.me)

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  54. Although I'm familiar with tirimisu, I don't think I've ever actually eaten any! I'm not a fan of coffee.

    Happy Release Day tomorrow!

    cozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com

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  55. Tiramisu sounds so yummy today. Thank you for the chance. lady.janel@Hotmail.com

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  56. Happy Release Day a day early!

    I'm not very familiar with tiramisu, but this may be the recipe to try it out with. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance to win.

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

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  57. Thank you for recipes and giveaway!!!!!
    Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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  58. Love this series and congrats on the new release.
    Thanks for the recipe.
    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  59. So excited about Release Tuesday. Great books for sure. Will have to print this recipe off for my sisnlaw. She loves the stuff. Thanks for the opportunity. kayt18 at comcast dot net

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  60. Congratulations on your newest release Krista (and Sheila's too!)! I have not, in my 66 years eaten even a tiny bite of tiramisu. Looks good though. I've been hanging in there waiting for this book, cannot wait to read it!
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  61. I love tiramisu, but have never tried making it. Have you seen the new gelato offerings from Breyer's? I'm not keen on their ice cream, but the gelato is pretty good, the tiramisu gelato in particular. Looking forward to the new Diva book, and hope that I win! pattie.tierney@gmail.com

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