Pudding Tiramisu

My best friend came for a visit last weekend and my cookie/candy drawer was empty so I had to quickly make a yummy dessert for her. When people randomly pay me a visit and expect something good I always make my famous pudding tiramisu. It is a great treat for coffee lovers and it is made within minutes.

You need:

2 packages instant Vanilla OR Chocolate OR both Pudding

Lady fingers

2 cups of brewed coffe, sweetened

Prepare a baking dish, the size you want the tiramisu to be (I use a bigger sized dish, maybe 25x20 cm or so) and start layering the tiramisu. First layer are the lady fingers, which you arrange in the dish, side by side and pour a small amount of coffe over them, I use 1 table spoon for each lady finger. Be careful because you don't want those lady fingers to fall apart when cooled. The next layer is a pudding layer - just cook the pudding according the instructions on the package and smear a good amount of it on the lady fingers. Continue to do so, finishing with a pudding layer. Chill for an hour or over night if you have time. You can top the tiramisu with whipped cream or fresh fruit.

New York-Style Cheesecake

Do you like celebrity chefs and their recipes? I have to admit that I absolutely love their cookbooks and tv shows. One of my favorite tv chefs is Annabel Langbein. She makes wonderful dishes in no time and I love her tips and accent, of course :)

She has this new cookbook called Free Range in the City and you can download a preview on her website. I fell in love with the New York Cheesecake because it requires just a few ingredients. I have to say I was a bit worried because the cake is crustless and as a crust-lover I used to think cheesecakes and cookie crusts are best friends. Boy, was I wrong! You can believe me when I say that this is the BEST cheesecake I have ever eaten. It is so moist and refreshing, you don't need a crust. I put a couple of fresh nectarines on top just for some fruity taste, but you can make it plain or add any fruit you like.

You need:

500 grams cream cheese

500 grams sour cream

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 tea spoons vanilla

finely grated zest of 1/2 a lemon

2 table spoons lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 150°C and line a 23cm cake form with baking paper, grease the sides with a little butter. Place all ingredients in a mixer or in a bigger bowl and mix it all up, until creamy. This should last for a minute or so. Now pour the mixture into the prepared cake form and bake for 1 1/4 hours, then turn off the oven and leave the door open for another hour. Then take the cake out of the oven and let it cool. You can top the cake with fresh fruit or enjoy it plain.