I found it kinda funny how on Friday morning my husband reminded my son that it was Valentines Day! Our son was all over it. He was making dinner, she made dessert they had a plan. This is our 31st Valentines day together and I wouldn’t say he has ever forgotten it but let’s just say some years have been better than others.

My husband was more prepared than I was this year – hey it happens! I bought flowers for the table at the beginning of the week. I knew what I was making for dinner; seared scallops over a bed of risotto and some swiss chard. But until my son mentioned dessert the thought never crossed my mind. So after work I braved the local grocery store. Probably the first time I have seen the store so full of men. I did check out what they were buying because I’m nosy that way. Most had covered the bases with the flowers, chocolates and cards in hand. A few went above and beyond the holiday staples and were picking out some seafood for dinner, quite a few were looking over the steaks.

Back to why I went to the store. I decided to pick up one of my husbands favorite desserts tiramisu, which of course they didn’t have. Now what? I walked around the bakery section and was not impressed; or at least nothing I wanted. Went to the frozen section and still nothing. So that’s when I decided to just make my own. I have made it a couple of times and thought I can do this! I picked up lady fingers, which they didn’t have so I substituted with Stella D’oro Margherite cookies. grabbed some heavy cream and some mascarpone cheese. I have everything else at home. BTW since I didn’t get him a card I was going to pick one out, I did look but the ones left were lame so I passed.

I got home and he had a chocolate martini ready – he’s a keeper!

Tiramisu

Donna Clark - Cooking at Clark Towers

Print Recipe

Ingredients

6 egg yolks
¾ cup white sugar
2/3 cup milk
1¼ cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 16 ounce containers mascarpone cheese
½ cup strong brewed coffee room temperature
2 tablespoons rum
2 packages ladyfinger cookies or Margherite cookies
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder – use a strainer to help distribute cocoa evenly

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended.
Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Don't walk away or you may end up with scrambled eggs. Boil gently for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour
In a medium bowl, beat cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form
whisk mascarpone into yolk mixture until smooth.
In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum.
Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise and drizzle with coffee mixture. Once they get wet it is hard to move them, so if you want to place them in their spot and then drizzle it will work out better for you.
Arrange half of soaked ladyfingers in bottom of 10x10" (don't worry about the size, use what you have) dish.
Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers
then half of whipped cream over that
Repeat layers and sprinkle with cocoa.
Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours, until set