Friday, December 30, 2011

Demons Like it Hot by Sidney Ayers (Character Guest Post & Giveaway)

Today I'd like to welcome special guest Serah SanGermano, heroine of Sidney Ayer's new book, Demons Like it Hot!


One of my favorite things to make (and of course eat) is tiramisu. There are so many different stories about how tiramisu came to be it can cause your head to spin. Tiramisu loosely translates from Italian as “pick me up.” Considering it contains espresso and cocoa, both which contain caffeine, I can definitely see where it would do some picking up. There are tons of websites devoted to the heavenly treat. One in particular is loaded with recipes and even links to buy the ingredients. (www.heavenlytiramisu.com)  Tiramisu plays an important part in Matthias’s and my story. It’s the treat I decided to make for the reality cooking show I’ve signed up for. Trust me, if I knew I was signing a contract with a demon, I would have never agreed to it.

As yummy as tiramisu is, it really isn’t all that hard to make.  The hardest part is probably the six hour wait for the cake to set. Trust me, it’s worth the wait. Amazingly, it’s one recipe even Matthias with his slightly inept cooking/baking skills can help me with. I still haven’t quite forgiven him for almost burning down my house. He has other skills that more than make up for it though. Not only is he a mercenary, he was a carpenter in his previous life. Cool, huh?
Someone once described the taste of tiramisu as divine. However, that is a serious understatement. The rich mascarpone cheese, fluffy ladyfingers, cream and coffee explode on your tongue like a host of angels bursting into a heavenly chorus. Heck, even that seems like an understatement.

How about some yummy tiramisu to lift you up on a cold winter’s night?
This is a variation of The Frugal Gourmet’s Basic Tiramisu recipe with a Serah SanGermano twist. Instead of the usual brandy, I choose to use Kahlua instead. It helps enhance the coffee flavor of the tiramisu. I also like to garnish each piece with a chocolate covered coffee bean. You can never have too much caffeine, eh?

This recipe has been doubled from its original 8 serving size.  The original recipe can be found here: http://www.heavenlytiramisu.com/rcp-109.htm

Ingredients:
Filling:
  • ·        1 cup Espresso or triple strength coffee at room temperature
  • ·        1 cup sugar
  • ·        ½ cup coffee liqueur (i.e. Kahlua)
  • ·        4 egg yolks
  • ·        2 lb. Mascarpone cheese (32 oz.)
  • ·        1 lb. (16 oz.) Italian Ladyfingers (Savioardi)
  • ·        8 oz. Shaved semisweet chocoloate


Icing:
  • ·        2 cups fresh whipping cream
  • ·        ½ tsp. Vanilla
  • ·        4 tbsp. Powdered/Confectioners’ sugar


Garnishes     
  • ·        Cocoa Powder for dusting
  • ·        Shaved Chocolate
  • ·        Dark Chocolate covered coffee beans

Directions
  1. 1.      Line the inside of two loaf pans with large sheet wax paper.
  2. 2.      Stir espresso, sugar and coffee liqueur in mixing bowl until sugar dissolves. Reserve 2/3 cup.
  3. 3.      Whisk egg yolks into this, and add mascarpone cheese. Continue until smooth. 
  4. 4.      One at a time, soak ladyfingers in reserved coffee (don't over-soak). Place crosswise in pans, trimming if necessary to layer bottom completely.
  5. 5.      Spread on half of cheese mixture, then half of shaved chocolate.
  6. 6.      Repeat with ladyfingers, then remaining cheese, then rest of chocolate.
  7. 7.      Cover with remaining ladyfingers.
  8. 8.      Bring up flaps of wax paper, Wrap pans in plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours.
  9. 9.      When serving, invert pans on serving platter, tapping bottom to remove "loafs." Remove paper.
  10. 10.  Whip whipping cream, vanilla and powdered sugar together until stiff. Spread over the "loafs."
  11. 11.  Dust with shaved chocolate and garnish each slice with one or two chocolate covered coffee bean(s).

This recipe serves roughly 16 people, depending on the size of each piece.
Hope you enjoy! It’s a perfect treat to help ring in the New Year.


Find out more about Serah and her story, along with Sidney Ayers other works at http://sidneyayers.com/ and read an excerpt of Demons Like it Hot at http://sidneyayers.com/DLIHexcerpt.html


~*GIVEAWAY*~
Sourcebooks is giving away one copy of Demon Like it Hot to one US or Canadian reader. To enter, just leave a comment on this post and then fill out the rafflecopter below with  your name and email address. Additional entries are available but not required. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


36 comments:

  1. Would love to try the recipe! Thanks for the giveaway. I never thought writers could make being a demon sexy, but I was wrong.

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  2. The recipe sounds so good. I love tiramisu, but I have a hard time finding mascarpone cheese here.
    I would love to read the book, it sounds really good.

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  3. Thanks for the recipe. I've just learned that I like tiramisu :). I will be making this.
    Demons Like It Hot sounds SO good. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  4. Thanks for the recipe. I love Tiramisu. Can't wait to make it. The book trailer was great. This book is on my TBR list.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  5. This post was a lot of fun. I really enjoy character posts!! I've enjoyed tiramisu every time I've tried it but I've never tried making it.

    Thanks!
    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

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  6. Yum Yum! This sounds good! I have to try this!

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  7. Thanks for the yummy recipe! Id love to read a hot book. I never thought I'd like to read about demons, but I was wrong! happy New Year1 brendem7@comcast.net

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  8. I love Tiramisu when it's done right, but I've also had quite a few versions that weren't that good. I'll have to give it a try sometime.

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway and recipe.I'll have to try it out.

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  10. Thanks for sharing your recipe and you are so right about all the variations on Tiramisu.

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I have seen good reviews on this book.

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  11. I love that title :D
    thanks for the giveaway!

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  12. I have never tried Tiramisu. I may have to try making that recipe though. I have been wanting to read these books. I bought the first one (Demons Prefer Blondes), but have not read it yet. I would love to win a copy of this one, then I can read them back to back.

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  13. I love Tiramisu. I have never made it myself. I will have to try that recipe.

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  14. Serah, this recipe sounds divine! I'll bet Matthias loves it for dessert - especially after having you for dinner ;-)

    I have this book on my wishlist - I can't wait to read it!

    Thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity!

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  15. The book is on my wishlist. Tiramisu is my FAVORITE ever. Thanks for the chance.

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  16. Thanks for an awesome post!!! makes me wish I could bake :) I just got your first book and I can't wait to get started! Love the cover and the premise sounds so fantastic!!

    Happy New Year everyone!

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  17. Recipe sounds great. Would love to read this book and is on my to get list.
    imajicasnow@inbox.com

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  18. That recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for the great post and the wonderful giveaway!
    -Dawn aka dawnmomoffour
    thedoyle6@rogers.com

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway and recipe. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  20. Thank you for the fun post! This recipe is going down in the books :)

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  21. I love tiramisu. I would rather just buy some than make it. Thanks for the fun post. I would love to win and read this book. Sidney is a new author for me and always looking for new books and authors to check out.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  22. OMG...tiramisu is my FAV! I LOVE it and have it for dessert every time we go out (when it's on the menu of course)! I'm sooo gonna give this recipe a try. Gawd, I'm gonna get as big as a barn if it comes out good...'cause I'll wanna make it for every special occassion. You know like, Wednesday....LOL! Your book sounds great...FAB cover too!

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

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  23. Cannot wait to try the recipe or read the book! Maybe I will do both at the same time. Mmmm...yummy sweets and a sexy demon!

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  24. I am so excited to read Demons Like It Hot! Thanks for the giveaway and Happy New Year!!

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  25. this looks AWESOME!! i would love the chance to win it!
    and yumm tiramisu! its my dads ultimate fav ( you can bribe him into anything with tiramisu.. even driving 2 hours to go to a bookstore... lol)

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  26. Thanks for the recipe. It sounds great. I enjoyed the book trailer.

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  27. This sounds like a great book thank you very much for the great giveaway!

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  28. Thanks everyone for stopping by. It's been a hectic weekend for Serah and she hopes you all enjoy your tiramisu. She and Matthias are enjoying some downtime getting toasty by the fireplace. And yes, Matthias is definitely enjoying Serah as well as the tiramisu. That comment had me giggling, by the way.

    Happy New Year's everyone!

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  29. Ty for sharing the Tiramisu recipe. This sounds like such a great book.. love the premise - really enjoyed the post!

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  30. The story and the recipe both look good.

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  31. The cover is so pretty, and I love tiramisu also. Thanks for the recipe it looks delicious.

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  32. The book and the recipe both sound yummy ;)
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    New follower! :)

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  33. Thanks for the recipe. Tiramisu is one of my mother's favorite desserts. I'll have to make it for her when I visit in Feb.

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  34. Now I'm craving some tiramisu!!!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  35. I'm confused by the comment about RBtWBC being an award free blog, when I just read that this was an award give away. I really like the sound of this book and if it's still open for free giveaway I'm very interested.
    Dreamer2229
    http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/

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