New Recipes: 1/6 Tiramisu

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One of my goals for 2015 was to cook six new recipes with my husband, roughly one every other month. We hosted a big family dinner last weekend (well, large for us - twelve guests) and decided to give tiramisu a whirl. I find family parties a great time for a dessert trial run - I get honest opinions and there are plenty of people to share with so I don't end up eating 86 cookies by myself.

We used the recipe from Chop, Sizzle, Wow because it was the most straightforward one I found. There are plenty of super complicated ones that estimate it'll take you eight hours start to finish. Hmm, no thanks! 

Regardless, everyone was impressed (I think they had that eight hour extravaganza in mind) and kept saying things like, "It tastes like regular tiramisu!" which made me laugh.
And I have a newfound respect for restaurant presentation - this was the best I could do!

Would you cook a new dish for guests? I know some people only make their tried-and-true for company.

Comments

  1. KristyMonday, January 19, 2015

    I'm sure it was totally delicious! We've done both and while both have gone over well, I think tried and true is a bit less stressful. I think some of the best meals we've had lately with company have been the super easy stuff like burgers on the BBQ which didn't take a lot of effort in the kitchen so we were able to enjoy the company more.

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    Replies
    1. AmandaTuesday, January 20, 2015

      Very true! I second the easy meals - we tried to make sure everything was either cooked before guests arrived or in the crockpot. It's nice to be able to leave the kitchen and relax!

      Delete
  2. EcoCatLadyMonday, January 19, 2015

    I've gotten in trouble WAY too many times trying out something new for guests, so I don't do it anymore. And I don't actually know what tiramisu is... some sort of custard-like dessert I think. Anyhow, it looks good!

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    Replies
    1. AmandaTuesday, January 20, 2015

      Good point - the repercussions of a failed dessert are pretty low compared to messing up the meal though! Not sure I'd risk the main dish!

      Tiramisu reminds me of making lasagna. It's a layer of cookies brushed with coffee, covered in a custard made of mascarpone cheese and eggs, topped with chocolate shavings, then repeat.

      Delete
  3. FionaTuesday, January 20, 2015

    Mmm - that looks good! I love Tiramisu but have never made it myself (which I think makes it extra-special to eat!) We usually do a trial run before we serve guests and we have some 'stock recipes' we use over and over. Well done for hosting!

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    Replies
    1. AmandaTuesday, January 20, 2015

      Yeah, it was pretty cool to make it ourselves and have it turn out! :)

      Delete
  4. MeghanTuesday, January 20, 2015

    It's so hard to make food look good in a photograph! I developed an appreciation for plating in my classes where everyone else always had such pretty plates and I focused so much on the cooking that I had never really paid that much attention to presentation. I'm working on improving!
    As I'm a more confident cook, I make new recipes for guests, but when I do, I often make lots of food in case any of the new recipes don't turn out!

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  5. AnonymousSunday, January 25, 2015

    Food is a big part of our lives. I love cooking new things - finding new tastes, using things not used before. Found out I love fennel bulbs. Never knew! Didn't try them earlier because I'm jit an aniseed fan. But the bulbs are so delicate.

    As to plating up. I'm a failure. But even well plated food can be hard to photograph.

    And I bet the best thing was having all the family together!

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    Replies
    1. AmandaMonday, January 26, 2015

      I'm a plating failure too. No worries as long as it tastes good, right?

      Yes, everyone in one place is lovely!

      Delete
  6. Liz @ Economies of KaleTuesday, January 27, 2015

    Yum, it looks great :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. HappinessSavouredHot (Julie Saint-Mleux)Sunday, February 01, 2015

    Oh my, that looks amazing. And I like your goal of cooking new recipes on a regular basis! I might try the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AmandaSunday, February 01, 2015

      Thank you! I hope I can stick with it! :)

      Delete

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