My Niece's Birthday

     Last Tuesday, our family celebrated my niece's 17th birthday.  It was a special moment for all of us.  Looking back in time, I remember when I first met her.  She was just a little two years old girl with curly black hair, and with a beautiful smile (some things never change.)   I can picture her at my mother's in law pool, running behind her brother.  But that was then, and this is now.  She is all grown up.  Her hair, still black.  It's not curly anymore, miracles of today's technology, but she still is our Samantha.  Her enthusiasm keeps us alive, her smile melts worries away, and her liveliness is invigorating to all of us.  What else can you ask for?  Samantha is a blessing to have you as my niece.   Here she is with her brother and her cousins who also celebrated this special day with her.

  
      A few days ago, just before her birthday, she made me extremely happy.  When everybody wants to celebrate their parties with a fancy cake, Samantha asked me to turn her favorite dessert into a cake for her birthday.  She loves my tiramisú.  She would not eat it anywhere else.  And I, proudly made her  birthday cake a tiramisú cake.  Needless to say that it was all gone by the end of the meal.
     From my little corner, I would like to wish, my Samantha, a very, happy, unforgettable birthday.  After all, you only turn 17 once.

     Today, as a tribute to her, I am going to give all of you my recipe for tiramisú.

Tiramisu
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 packages of mascarpone cheese (750 grams, or 3 1/4 cups)
• 3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup of powder sugar
• 1 package of lady fingers
• 1/2 cup of liquor (I like Fangelico)
• 3/4 cup of espresso coffee 
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened powder chocolate 

      First of all, whip the heavy cream with the sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the mascarpone cheese and mix together.
       In a bowl, combine the liquor with the coffee.  This is used to dip the lady fingers in.
      Take a square pyrex, and start by spreading some of the mascarpone mixture.  Then dip the ladyfingers in the coffee-liquor on both sides, and arrange them, one after the other tightly.  Cover this with some of the mascarpone mixture again, and once more dip the lady fingers in the coffee and set them on top.  Cover again completely with the mascarpone.  And finally, pour the chocolate in a colander and sprinkle over the top to cover completely.
      Refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving it.  Qué aproveche!