Monday, December 3, 2012

Desserts

HA ! You won't dessert me now. Will you ? :P

I'm one of those random male species who love to toil around in the kitchen to make something for all to eat. Well, toiling around might be pushing it. So I have a sweet tooth, and when I don't get that certain something, then I will be craving it forever. So I went for the easy solution. Learn to make it yourself. Your ammunition is readily available. Your ever ready Google. And some good old hard work.

The first masterpiece that I tried for (and succeeded) is something known as Tiramisu, a coffee-holics Ambrosia. The basic ingredients are readily available (save the whipping cream). Cake, cheese-spread, sugar and the never-enough-coffee.

Here is a link to a step-by-step recipe that I followed. I'll be telling you how I made it here, and some tips to make it.

One thing you should learn, even if it is your first time making it is - DO NOT FOLLOW THE RECIPE TO A TEE. Recipe are just guidelines. Improvise. And then you can make magic. :D

So what you will need.
  1. A big bowl to make the whole damn thing
  2. Cake. Vanilla sponge is good. The softer it is, the better. (I bought mine from Best Bakery)
  3. Cheese Spread (200gms = One bowl of Amul REGULAR Cheese Spread )
  4. Eggs
  5. Sugar (a bit powdered for the whipping cream)
  6. An extra container or two (You will see why soon enough)
  7. An Electric Beater
  8. The amount of coffee powder you use depends on how strong you want the coffee taste to be. (I like mine strong, so I add in extra spoon or two or three :P And use instant if you can. No sediments = WIN) 


Tips
  • Learn to double boil. The first time is a pain. But it is unbelievably useful. Even heating ftw XD
    • Use the double boiling method to blend the coffee mixture in the first step
  • Cooling using ice is better, faster and more convenient than waiting for nature to move her ass.
    • Same principle as the double boiling, minus the heat, plus some ice-cubes with the water
  • If you feel particularly picky about a smooth texture, strain the mixture before you add cheese and blend it
  • Slowly waiting for the blender to blend is not worth the effort. Vigorously moving it helps get it a better texture. Especially for the whipping cream. Add in *powdered* sugar with the whipping cream to get it extra sweet. :3
  • And fill in the bottom layer throughout with cakes. DO NOT LEAVE AN OPEN GAP.
  • When you brush the coffee mixture on the cake, don't be stingy. The more soaked your cake gets, the more better it will taste. Also make sure you don't over do it. You don't want it to be too soggy.
  • Don't forget to brush the more coffee on the second layer. You will regret it for the lack of coffee.
  • Whipping cream gets frothier the more you whip it. And it gets whipped better when it is cool.
  • Always top with something. What I like to use is Cadbury Drinking Chocolate. Blow it over as it falls down to spread it evenly.
  • Serve Chilled