Although I’m Filipino I grew up in an Italian household. We ate a lot of pasta, but we also got to enjoy some incredible baked goods and delicious desserts. I have to admit, this version of the Italian Tiramisu is hands down the best I’ve tried. It features an Orlando Brewing organic porter, ladyfingers and mascarpone cream and brings a bit of local flavor to this incredible dessert at Portobello Restaurant. The next time you are in town be sure to try it, but in the meantime they were nice enough to share the recipe with me so you can try it at home!
Disclosure: My husband and I were treated to a fabulous meal at Fulton’s Crab House followed by a delicious Portobello’s Biramisu to facilitate our review.
Ingredients
- 24 oz (vol) Orlando Brewing Black Water Porter
- 16 oz (wt) Granulated sugar
- 28 oz (wt) Mascarpone cheese
- 6 oz (wt) Confectioner’s sugar
- 7 oz (vol) Beer reduction (above)
- 5 oz (vol) Egg yolk (pasteurized)
- 4 ea Eggs, extra large
- 1 ¼ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cup Flour, all purpose, sifted
- ¾ tsp Vanilla extract
- ¾ Tbsp Baking powder
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Combine the beer and sugar in a heavy sauce pan and reduce on low heat by approximately one half. The initial volume will be approximately 40 ounces which will yield 20 ounces. The consistency will be slightly syrupy. Chill and hold.
- Combine the egg and sugar in a mixing bowl and whisk continuously over a boiling water bath to make a zabaglione. The egg and sugar mixture will gradually increase in volume by approximately 100% and the mixture will thicken and become opaque. This process will take about five minutes. It is very important to whisk the mixture or the yolks will solidify. The zabaglione should be chilled over ice.
- Place the mascarpone in the work bowl of a stand mixer while the zabaglione is chilling. Whip the cheese on medium – high speed until smooth and soft. This process will take approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the beer reduction to the cheese while the mixer is running. Once the beer reduction is incorporated, add the chilled zabaglione and continue to work the mixture on low speed until the mixture is smooth (1 to 2 minutes more). Stop and scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure the ingredients are combining properly. Increase the speed back to medium – high and whip the mixture for one more minute. Chill and hold the finished cream.
- Separate the eggs and reserve the whites for use in the next step. Combine egg yolks, orange zest, vanilla and ¾ cup of sugar in the work bowl of a stand mixer. Use the whip attachment on high speed and whip the mixture until the mixture turns pale and fluffy (approximately 5 minutes).
- In a clean bowl, beat the remaining sugar and egg whites to form stiff peaks. This can be done by hand or with the whip attachment of a stand mixer. Fold the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture and then add the flour folding just enough to combine. Use a rubber spatula and be careful not to deflate the mixture.
- Place the finished batter into a pastry bag and pipe cookies that are approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter onto a sheet pan lined with parchment and sprayed with pan release. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool. When the cookies are cool, cut into neat rounds that are smaller than the interior diameter of the pint glass. A 2 inch round cutter will do the job.
- Lady finger cookies (above)
- Mascarpone cream mixture (above)
- Beer reduction (above)
- To assemble the biramisu, you will need six pint glasses and 24 lady finger biscuits cut into neat rounds which are smaller than the interior diameter of the pint glasses. You will also need the mascarpone cream and the remaining beer reduction from the recipes above.
- Soak the biscuits in the remaining beer reduction for at least 2 minutes to allow the liquid to be absorbed. The biscuits should be saturated. Build the dessert in each glass starting by piping a small amount of the cream into the bottom of the glass. Press a saturated biscuit into the cream. Repeat the process alternating layers of biscuit and cream finishing with a layer of cream about 1 inch from the top of the glass. Use 4 biscuits in each glass. Refrigerate and hold for service. The desserts can be assembled ahead of time and held overnight.
- Fill the glasses the rest of the way with whipped cream at the time of service. Level off the whipped cream at the level of the top of the glass with a spatula or the back of a knife. The resulting appearance will be reminiscent of a glass of ale with a head on it. Cheers!
***If you visit Portobello and share a photo of the patio on social media, you’ll receive a free Biramisu dessert if you show your server the post.
Be on the lookout for my upcoming review on Fulton’s Crab House!
The Story of Portobello Restaurant
The menu at Portobello was born from the bounty of the Italian countryside. Patterned after a classic osteria, Portobello is a dining experience that celebrates the simplest flavors of Italy. Crusty breads, sun-ripened tomatoes, imported Prosciutto di Parma, freshly caught fish, fruity olive oils and sharp, pungent cheeses are accentuated by the warmth of sharing these flavors around a table of family and friends. Be sure not to miss the Ravioli Gigante served with imported San Marzano tomatoes and basil.
I really really really need one of these. I am too lazy to make it so I guess I will have to go there.