I'm Back!!!!!!

Sadly, my summer vacation has ended. I return to Canada with many warm memories with friends, family and new acquaintances. I spent most of my time chilling on the beach. No phones, no computers, no traffic, no work.

I primarily spent my holiday in Greece and I took a couple of side trips (more later). I promised myself not to get entangled in the usual heated discussions that Greeks love to have concerning politics. I was in Greece during an election campaign and despite my pleas to change the subject, politics aways entered a conversation.

Politics and the mad, saddening fires that torched much of Greece also gripped the conversation of Greeks at the cafes, bars, eateries, dinner tables, plateias and even at the beaches. Despite my efforts to insulate myself from the heated discussions, only a heartless person devoid of any emotion could manage to avoid all the the static, media frenzy and dinner table exchanges on the topic of the burning country's state.

What else could be added about the summer fires of 2007? It was heartbreaking, maddening and of course disturbing. The silver lining in all this is that Greeks rally and come together like no other people when in met with dire circumstances. For those that have been to Greece, you know there's alot of work to be done with it's infrastructure, red-tape and sometimes backward way of approaching business. Greeks and Greece will be better after 2007. They got a big kick in the rear and it's in these circumstances that Greeks shine best.

In between my swims, sun-tanning and sightseeing, I also tried new foods, new combos and tried some new dishes. One dish I waited to try in Greece was a lemon tiramisu. I first saw it being offered on David Rocco's Dolce Vita and I just had to try it out in the summer.

I didn't use his recipe but I simply used a method of tiramisu that's worked well in the past and saves on mascarpone and subsitututed the coffee ingredients with lemon ingredients. This is an easy, make ahead summer dessert that will be loved and devoured by family & guests. The lemon tiramisu I made vanished in 1 day!

Lemon Tiramisu

36 Saviardi lady fingers
1 bottle (500ml) Limoncello
zest of 1 lemon for filling, zest of 1 lemon for topping
6 egg whites,
1/2 cup of sugar,
2 Pkges. (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
1 (8oz.) container of mascarpone cheese
500ml bottle Limoncello, slightly warmed

1. In a large bowl mix the cream cheese, mascarpone with the lemon zest and a couple of shots of Limoncello until it's smooth and has been mixed in well. Reserve.
2. In another bowl, mix your egg whites and sugar and whip until they have formed stiff picks. Quickly & gently fold the egg whites into your mascarpone.
   
3. In a large bowl, pour the rest of the bottle into a large bowl and zap the liquer for a 30 seconds to warm the liquid.
4. Dip your lady fingers into the Limoncello and line the bottom of your tray with the soaked cookies. Now spread a layer of the mascarpone/cream cheese mixture over the cookies. Repeat with another layer of soaked cookies and top with remaining cream cheese/mascarpone.

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