My Own Version of Tiramisu

I was inspired by Master Chef Season 3 episode on the hosts' favorite desserts: a Trifle for Gordon Ramsay, a strawberry shortcake for Graham Elliot and a Tiramisu for Joe Biastachi.

I love Italian food more so Italian desserts. I never taught that Tiramisu has Italian origin. I taught it was Japanese by the sound of it.



Tiramisu is an Italian cake and dessert. It is made of ladyfingers (Italian: Savoiardi) dipped in coffee and rhum, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with liquor and cocoa.

Alternatively, it has its origins in 1969, accounts by Carminantonio Iannaccone (as a researched and written about by The Washington Post) establish the creation of tiramisu by him on 24 December 1969 in Via Sottotreviso while he was head chef at Treviso, near Venice

The translation of the name Italian tiramisù (tirami sù) means "pick-me-up" (metaphorically, "make me happy"). This may refer to the caffeine in the espresso and effect of cocoa used in the recipe.

So here is my version of Tiramisu.

Ingredients:

custard filling:

4 egg yolks

sugar

15 ml white rhum (optional)

250 ml all purpose cream

cubes of butter

3 tsp all purpose flour

Mascarpone cheese***

whipped cream:

4 egg whites

white sugar

coffee dip:

espresso

sugar

white rhum

24 pieces ladyfingers

cocoa powder

Steps:

Step 1. Seperate 4 egg yolks from the egg whites in 2 mixing bowls.

Step 2. Mix the egg yolk, sugar, white rhum, butter, 1/2 of the 250 ml all purpose cream and flour until mixture is homogenous, Cook in a pan (you dont want to get Salmonella by eating raw egg yolks) and bring the mixture to a boil while constantly stirring and until thick. Set aside and let cool.

Step 3. Whisk in the egg whites and white sugar until foamy and thick.

Step 4. Fold in the eggwhite mixture into the custard mixture. Fold in slowly and do not beat. Set Aside.

Step 5. Make the espresso mixture just like when you are making your coffee. Add white rhum and a little sugar.

Step 6. Dip the lady fingers into the coffee mixture very fast. Not to make it very soft. Then arrange it in a square pan.

Step 7. Pour over the custard filling. You may choose to sift cocoa powder before adding another layer of dipped lady fingers if you want a more bitter taste.

Step 8. Repeat Step 6 and 7

Step 9. Finish with cocoa powder on top of the second layer of custard filling

Step 10. Keep in Fridge for 6 hours before serving.

You can play on the flavors and add some fruits. I hope you enjoy yours as I enjoyed mine. Once you do this you will never buy Tiramisu again but instead make your own.

Happy Cooking!

Studies Supporting Yogurt Use in the treatment of Several Infections Including Vaginal Yeast Infections

This page was reposted from the Official Website of the National Yogurt's Association. I decided to repost this because a comment came in to my other weblog asking for research evidences and I led him to this page. I do agree that even though results are very promising, more studies are still needed to be done in orther for the results to be conclusive.

"Because of its traditional association with healthful properties and an emerging body of scientific research, live and active culture yogurt continues to command the interest of scientists around the world. Researchers are exploring how yogurt and its cultures may have a beneficial effect on the immune system, and how yogurt may help play a role in reducing cholesterol levels and preventing certain diseases. More research is needed, but the results so far are promising.

The following summarizes some of the important medical research conducted to date on the potential benefits of yogurt. Note that more studies need to be done before all of the evidence is considered conclusive.

• Yogurt and the Immune System
• Yogurt and Lactose Absorption in Lactose-Deficient Patients
• Yogurt and Vulvovaginal Candidal (Yeast) Infections
• Cultural Model for Healthy Eating
• Childhood Diarrhea and Milk Products
• Colon Cancer and Yogurt
• Cancer Chemotherapy Patients and Yogurt

Yogurt and the Immune System

A report from Tufts University indicates that the potential health attributes associated with eating yogurt stretch beyond protein and calcium. According to an article by Simin Nikbin Meydani, Ph.D. in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2000; 71:861-72), yogurt may help make the immune system more resilient. Given the right circumstances, eating yogurt may help protect the intestinal tract. As a result, yogurt has great potential as a protective, anti-infection agent. Preliminary research indicates that increased yogurt consumption might help increase one's resistance to immune-related diseases such as cancer and infection, particularly gastrointestinal infection. This is believed to be in part due to the live and active cultures (LAC) found in yogurt. 

Yogurt and Lactose Absorption in Lactose-Deficient Patients

Beta-galactosidase, an enzyme that is contained in some yogurts, helps improve lactose absorption in lactase-deficient patients. C.M. Kotz et. al. (J. Dairy Sci. 1994 Dec: 77 [12]; 3538-44) illustrated this point in a study that administered equivalent amounts of milk and yogurt to subjects. Those subjects who consumed yogurt showed considerably better lactose absorption than those who consumed milk alone.

Yogurt and Vulvovaginal Candidal (Yeast) Infections

This study assessed whether daily ingestion of yogurt containingLactobacillus acidophilus prevents Vulvovaginal Candidal infections, commonly known as yeast infections. The study, conducted by E. Hilton et. al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1992 March 1: 116 [5] 353-7), found that such yogurt consumption decreased infections three-fold. The study concluded that eating eight ounces of yogurt containing L. acidophilus on a daily basis decreases candidal colonization and infection.

Cultural Model for Healthy Eating

Research has shown that populations in the Mediterranean regions, particularly Greece and Southern Italy, in the early 1960s have had the highest adult life expectancies due to lifestyle factors. Additionally, they have had the lowest incidences of coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and other diet-related diseases. The study by Beaudouin et. al. (Am J. Clin. Nutr. 1995 Jun: 1402S-1406S) cited the region's lowfat diet containing yogurt as being one of the major health benefits of a Mediterranean lifestyle, along with regular physical activity.

Childhood Diarrhea and Milk Products

Babies are less likely to experience childhood diarrhea if given breast milk without interruption throughout their infancy. On the other hand, according to a study conducted by J.L. Lembcke (Acta Paediatr. Suppl. 1992 Sept: 381 87-92), infants and children fed with non-human milks tend to have more severe illness than those receiving milk-free or lactose - limited formulas. The exception to this rule is fermented milk products, such as yogurt, which may reduce the severity of lactose malabsorption. Additional information is needed to substantiate yogurt's positive effects on acute childhood diarrhea.

Colon Cancer and Yogurt

More than 1,400 subjects with colon cancer from the Los Angeles area were examined in a study that sought to determine which foods were associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Results (R.K. Peters; Cancer Causes Control 1992 Sept; 3[5] 457-73) indicated that yogurt intake is associated with a significantly decreased risk of colon cancer.

Cancer Chemotherapy Patients and Yogurt

Lactose malabsorption, a common side-effect among cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy, may be lessened by a diet high in yogurt, according to a study by the University of Naples Department of Pediatrics (M. Pettoello-Mantovani. et. al.; J. Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Feb: 189-95). The study, which tested 20 children during cancer chemotherapy, concluded that there is a decrease in lactose malabsorption when yogurt is given to subjects as part of their treatment.

*The information contained in this section is intended to provide a balanced presentation of health-related information, including emerging scientific information. Because studies may be preliminary and ongoing, readers should not interpret this information as conclusive. This information does not constitute labeling or advertising for any specific products, and is not intended to endorse any particular products or types of products."

STICK and STONES WILL BREAK YOUR BONES BUT WORDS WILL BREAK YOUR SOUL

So the well-worn parental reassurance that "sticks and stones will break your bones, but names will never hurt you" is false, these scientists say. So I decided to change that saying and make it my title.

August 4, I faced a major surgery. Being a doctor does not exclude me from having fears that I might not be able to wake up post op or that my histopath would be malignant since I have inside me a very fast growing tumor. I thank God that I am still here writing this post.

Its my fault I pushed myself to the limit I went back to work a week after my surgery. 14 days later I was crippled with this excruciating pain in my post operative site that I was not able to report for duty.

"Physical pain obviously serves a purpose: It's uncomfortable and distressing, but it's a signal that something's wrong, that we need to take action to fix it," says UCLA psychologist Naomi Eisenberger. 

I then decided that I should be taking care of my health if I wanted to take care of my patients and my family. I then filed an emergency 60-day leave which I am entitled to according to the Magna Carta for Women.

I announced my leave to my co workers today at morning gathering

" Good Morning!"

I have a few announcements to make. Please bear with me this will not take so much of your time.

I will be leaving you for a while.
As you all know I underwent major surgery last August 4 and thinking I can recover within a week I went back to work besides I was shy to ask the bosses for longer leave because I am not an employee I dont have leave credits. But last August 28 I exprerienced severe pain on my post operative site that I was not able to report. Last Tuesday I asked the boss to grant me a 60 day leave and I am very thankful they understood my situation. So yesterday I had a check up with my OB-GYN to make my leave official. So I am filling my emergency leave effective Sept 11.

I am telling you this for 2 reasons.
1. For patient scheduling, for old patients that I am treating please coordinate it with me ahead so I can squeeze them all in one day if possible. For new patients just give them to the doctor on duty. For gyne cases like genital warts please please schedule them after I come back so I can maximize my leave. In case we don't have any other options just let me know and I will drop by to see the patient.

2. The other reason is I don't want you to assume, pressume and speculate. I am not suspended. I am not terminated. I am not asked to resign. I want to stress this out because I dont want you to be spreading wrong things about me.

Regarding the incident last Friday, I did not claim excess OT, I only claimed what I work for. I provided the bosses a copy of my OT with the list of the names of the patients and the excat number of hours I treat them. If you want to see it I can provide you a copy. I am thankful to have bosses who does not believe in the accusations. They knew where the problem is coming from.

I worked hard to establish my name and I will never let anyone destroy it. I will not damage my name and reputation for a small amount of money. Like you I can only request for OT pay. It is not my fault if the money was released without the signature of the boss.

Hindi ba kayo nahihiya kapwa tayo Filipino nagsisiraan tayo para magpalakas sa boss? ( Arent you ashamed we are fellow Filipinos yet we stab each other at the back just to get the bosses attention) 
I am sorry If I am crying. My husband told me not to cry but I really felt bad with whats happening. Since Friday I have been hearing rumors about me and it is only today that I redeem myself.

While on leave I will still work for the company. I will continue to work with the marketing for the stretchmark promo, I will work with creative designs for the website update, I am working with paralegal officer for the machine importation and I am working with International sales manager of IPS for the distributorship. These are the things I do for the company at no extra cost. So if you have any concerns about these just let me know.

For those who wished and prayed hard for me to leave the company I am sorry to disappoint you. Those who prayed hard for me to have a different fate, I suggest you pray harder...pray harder.

If you want a copy of what I said I can provide you so there will no addition and deduction of words.
Thank you for your time and I hope when I come back there will be a more harmonious relationship here. See you all on November 10."

That was my speech. It showed that emotional pain is more painful than physical pain.Though emotional pain and physical pain share the same neural pathway. I think words hurt more especially if the words are not true.

Nice post from this link: 

chrome://newtabhttp//articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/04/health/la-he-mood-pain-20110404

excerpt of which is...

"People talk about the sting of social rejection as if it were a physical pain. We feel "burned" by a partner's infidelity, "wounded" by a friend's harsh words, "crushed" when a loved one fails us, "heartache" when spurned by a lover.

There's a reason for that linguistic conflation, says a growing community of pain researchers: In our brains too, physical and social pain share much the same neural circuitry. In many ways, in fact, your brain may scarcely make a distinction between a verbal and physical insult."

Let me end this post with a saying from a psychologist...

"I think we can say the same about social pain: It motivates us to reconnect socially and avoid social rejection in the future."-says UCLA psychologist Naomi Eisenberger

PANDORA'S BOX: The Way to a Woman's Heart...

It's an old cliche that " the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" but how about the way to a woman's heart. Is it only the woman who thinks about how to get close to the man of her dreams? WRONG!!

Men also find ways on how to get the woman of their dreams or if they have them how to maintain them. There is this Pandora's System created by Vin DiCarlo that helps men on their dating strategies with women. For a price of $69.95 it promises to get you any woman that you dreamed of having, no matter how you look or how old you are.

It's insane why men will resort to this stuff..are they really that desperate? The world has a ratio of 2:1 women more than men so its impossible not to have one for you.

Pandora's Box is an artifact in Greek mythology, taken from the myth of Pandora's creation in Hesiod's Works and Days. The "box" was actually a large jar given to Pandora ("all-gifted", "all-giving"),which contained all the evils of the world. Today, to open Pandora's box means to create evil that cannot be undone.

In classical Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on Earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her, so he did—using water and Earth. The gods endowed her with many gifts: Athena clothed her, Aphrodite gave her beauty, and Hermes gave her speech.
When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus' brother. With her, Pandora was given a beautiful container which she was not to open under any circumstance. Impelled by her curiosity given to her by the gods, Pandora opened it, and all evil contained therein escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to close the container, but the whole contents had escaped, except for one thing that lay at the bottom, which was the Spirit of Hope named Elpis. Pandora was deeply saddened by what she had done, and was afraid that she would have to face Zeus' wrath, since she had failed her duty; however, Zeus did not punish Pandora, because he knew this would happen.

I will list down 3 things women want and this is based on my personal experience and the experiences of my patients mentioned to me during counselling.

1. Women are attracted to men who are emotionally mature. Although some women like men get attracted visually too, a greater percentage of women look beyond the physical attributes. Who wouldn't want someone who looked like Brad Pitt or Ian Somerhalder? almost if not all do but would you want an immature Brad Pitt or a childish Ian Somerhalder? OF COURSE NOT!! The " looks" is a bonus. It's a man's maturity that attracts women the most. We wanted someone who can take care of us.

2. Women like men who carry themselves well, never insecure. Some men are very protective and jealous of other men and it boils down to insecurity. It only happens if you are not confident about yourself and with your relationship.

3. Women are shallow. All women wanted flowers and chocolates and the sweetness that goes along with it. Women wanted being appreciated and accepted for what they are. If you have a partner who gained weight after giving birth it is not their fault. I have several patients desperate to get rid of their bulging bellies or their stretchmarks because they have fears that their partners might look at other women. Men should make their women feel appreciated. Men should see beyond those bulging bellies and unwanted stretchmarks.

So a way to a woman's heart is not through PANDORA's BOX. It being who you are (no pretensions) and willing to change the negative aspects of your personality for the better but not to change yourself just to please the one you love.

Besides if you are on the mission to get the woman you want, remember not to force anything because if you are meant to be, the situation will be going in your favor. Love is something not forced.

If you have your woman already, keeping her by your side would be easy by making her feel that she is the luckiest woman in the world by having you. So it boils down not on pleasing your woman but by making her feel you love her completely.