Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen

Happy 4th of July everyone!  This is the dessert that I will be serving to the family for the holiday.  It is a trifle of lady fingers, raspberry jam, berries and mascarpone whipped cream.  In a traditional tiramisu the lady fingers are soaked in espresso topped with marsala and mascarpone cream.  Chocolate is sprinkled on the top.  In this lighter version, the lady fingers are soaked in a Grand Marnier raspberry jam and the berries are added instead of chocolate.  I even took it a step further by using orange juice instead of Grand Marnier.  We have lots of kids at our party and I don’t think they would appreciate the alcohol.

The great thing about this dessert is that has to be made ahead of time.  The longer it sits the better it gets.  It couldn’t be simpler.  Enjoy your holiday.

RASPBERRY AND BLUEBERRY TIRAMISU (Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis)

1 12 ounce jar of seedless raspberry jam
6 Tablespoon Grand Marnier or Orange Juice
1 pound Mascarpone Cheese, at room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
48 soft ladyfingers (2 3-0unce packages) or 40 dry Italian Ladyfingers (2 packages)
3 baskets fresh raspberries (1/2 dry pint, about 3 3/4 cups total)
A handful of blueberries

Stir together the jam and 4 tablespoons of Grand Marnier or orange juice in a small bowl to blend.

Stir together the mascarpone and remaining 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier or orange juice in a large bowl to blend.  Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla in another large bowl until soft peaks form.  Using a large rubber spatula, stir a fourth of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten.  Fold the remaining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.

Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish or other decorative serving dish with a third of the ladyfingers.  Spread a third of the jam mixture over the ladyfingers.  Spread a third of the mascarpone mixture over the jam mixture, then cover with a third of the fresh raspberries.  Repeat layering with the remaining ladyfingers, jam mixture, mascarpone mixture, and raspberries.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours of overnight.

Dust confectioners’ sugar over the top if desired and serve.

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While searching for a good cranberry dish to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, I found Anna Pump’s The Loaves and Fishes Party Cookbook in the library. I have found that I like most everything that she prepares and have blogged about her recipes in the past. This sweet and tart chutney appealed to me on many levels. It is tart enough to give a tang to bland turkey and just barely sweet. We had it last night with pork roast and it was just right. My husband said it was a keeper. The beauty of the dish is that it will keep up to three months in the refrigerator. I don’t think it will last that long, but it is good to know that I have a great side dish for Thanksgiving.

CRANBERRY-LIME CHUTNEY

1 lime, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup peeled and coarsely chopped tart apple
1/2 cup dark raisins ( I used dried cranberries)
4 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans ( I added this ingredient )

In a saucepan, bring to a boil the lime slices, onion, garlic, sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, spices, and salt. Cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Add the apples and raisins. Return to a boil and simmer another 10 minutes. Add the cranberries and cook, covered, for 10 minutes more. Add the pecans. Cool mixture.

To store the chutney, cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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