Feeling a bit down, a bit lethargic, a bit dreary (after learning all about the places you need to visit in Rome)? What you need is a little bit (or a lot) of tiramisu, the classic Italian dessert.
Tiramisu:
Though you might not need an excuse to eat it, pronounced tira-mi-su means “pick-me-up” and is a perfect end to a meal or even a post sightseeing snack. What better medicine could there be? Its current name derives from the Venetian dialect and is now considered a typical dessert of this region, but other regions are competing to be proclaimed place of origin of this cake: first of all, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piedmont and Tuscany. The classic tiramisu is made with savoiardi or lady fingers or biscuits, take your pick of the words, dunked in an espresso coffee, then layered with a mascarpone and fresh egg custard and sprinkled with chocolate powder. When eating out, be sure to check it’s ‘fatto in casa’, or made in house.
Gelato:
In Italian, the word congelato means frozen, and the word congelare means to freeze. Although gelato is the Italian version of ice cream, it’s not merely Dreyer’s with a European, artisanal flair. Like ice cream, gelato contains milk, sugar, and flavorings such as fruit or nuts, but it has less cream than ice cream and usually no egg yolks. Whether you’re ordering gelato in Italy (or at an authentic gelateria elsewhere), you should know gelato-related terminology. If you’re in need of a serious dose of caffeine, order affogato. You’ll get a scoop of gelato doused in espresso. If you want to make your gelato extra decadent, opt for gelato con panna to get gelato topped with whipped cream. And for an Italian ice cream sandwich, order brioche con gelato. If you want authentic gelato, don’t buy it from a shop that uses ice cream scoops. Instead, gelato should be scooped with a spade or paddle. The flat surface is better equipped to gently scoop up your flavor of choice. “Not only can you work gelato with the spade to soften it up, but there's a whole artistry,” Morano said. Who woudn't want to have their first taste of gelato in Italy? From the first memorable taste of genuine gelato, most people might want to bring home that fresh, flavorful dessert back to their homes.
Tiramisu
Gelato
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