mutant fruit

Everyone is sweltering in the heat and has lost there appetite haven't they? Thankfully loads of wonderful fruits are in their prime (sans the tomato what with the salmonella and all...) and make a wonderful light snack, refreshing leisurely breakfast, or a scrumptious dessert. Now is the time to hit up your local producers. You may find mutant blueberries the size of quarters like this one:

Or you'll find other great berries perfect for jams/jellies, pies, cobblers, trifles, cakes, ice creams... it's endless.


Raspberry Tiramisu
adpated from Giada de Laurentiis

1/2 cup good quality raspberry jam
6 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier)
8 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
scant 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
ladyfingers, enough to fill a 9x9 glass dish
1-2 pints fresh raspberries
dust with confectioners sugar, chocolate shavings, or cocoa powder (optional)

In a small bowl combine the jam and liqueur to thin it out. Set aside. In a large bowl whip the cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. In another bowl, soften the mascarpone with a spoon. Fold the cream into the cheese, adding a little at a time until combined. Layer the bottom of a glass dish with lady fingers and spread the jam mixture over the top. Then add a layer of the cream and top with raspberries. Add another layer of ladyfingers and repeat the layers until you're dish is full or you run out of ingredients. You can double the recipe to fill a trifle dish. Refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors meld and serve on a hot, hot day. This is perfect for a picnic and can be thrown together in no time.