Yes, you read that right. I have combined two of my favorite things: tiramisu and sushi.
Since I didn't think it would be a good idea to combine yellowfin tuna with rum soaked cake and mascarpone cheese, I took my inspiration from Pastry Girl at Dessert First who took inspiration from Elizabeth Faulkner's Demolition Desserts. Then I finally took some more inspiration from Megan of My Baking Adventure's pick (click for recipe) of Dorie Greenspan's Tiramisu cake.
It's like an orgy of inspiration.
The original recipe calls for a chocolate roulade cake, but I used Dorie's kick a** yellow cake recipe. Instead of rolling the cake, I just used a shot glass can to make smaller rolls and used the open end of a pastry tip to remove the inner hole of the cake. I then piped the mascarpone mixture into the middle, rolled it in some cocoa powder and had me some dessert sushi.
To set the mood even more, I cut up a biscotti in the shape of chopsticks (I didn't make my own biscotti, I just bought a Caramel Macchiato Biscotti from Starbucks and it did the trick but made me feel like a slacker for cutting corners) and then made a chocolate "soy" sauce - basically a chocolate mixture that included heavy cream that I brought to a boil and poured over chopped bittersweet chocolate. I then added some of the espresso syrup and a tablespoon of rum to round it out.
I'd love to try the variation on the Dessert First website. This was pretty good, though. Only Dorie could have a perfect, fluffy light yellow cake recipe and turn it into something fun and fantastic.
I made this for Jack as part of his celebration dinner for FINISHING HIS MBA PROGRAM!!!! and he was quite a happy boy.
Inspiration orgies, fluffy yellow cakes, and sushi without the tuna all made for quite the fun time at my apartment last night. I wish you all could have been here. In the words of Mr. Rogers: "Won't you be my neighbor?"
Ha ha! You always crack me up, Teanna. What a cute idea to make sushi with this.
Posted by: Leslie | May 05, 2009 at 12:53 AM
This is easily the cutest recipe name I've ever heard. You should send this to some sort of recipe contest!
Posted by: maris | May 05, 2009 at 01:00 AM
Oh my god, you're killing me. Really.
I saw Elizabeth Faulkner's deconstructed "sushi" awhile ago and thought it was the coolest thing.
Now you get that honor!
Posted by: Megan | May 05, 2009 at 01:05 AM
What a fun idea! Seriously, you are the most creative baker I know Teanna!
Posted by: Tracey | May 05, 2009 at 01:07 AM
Yes, you are a total slacker to not make your own edible chopsticks! Love the tiramisushi!!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | May 05, 2009 at 01:12 AM
I had to do a double take on the title just to make sure I read it right. Totally fun idea!!
Posted by: jenn | May 05, 2009 at 03:22 AM
OMG, shut up. That is so creative. I want a super roll please.
Posted by: Sugar B | May 05, 2009 at 03:24 AM
Hahaha, I love the tiramisushi: again another creative idea!!
Posted by: Marthe | May 05, 2009 at 03:39 AM
You are so inventive!!! Those sushis are soooo cute!!!! You need to start your own business!
Posted by: sabrina | May 05, 2009 at 08:44 AM
omg, these are beyond awesome. i love the cocoa dusted sides.
congrats to jack!
Posted by: dharmagirl | May 05, 2009 at 09:30 AM
These look great! I love the mascarpone middles.
Posted by: lisaiscooking | May 05, 2009 at 09:46 AM
That's adorable! I love tiramisu... yum!
Posted by: Jen Schall @ My Kitchen Addiction | May 05, 2009 at 09:50 AM
What a great idea! I took a big shortcut with this one, but it still turned out great. And congratulations to Jack on his MBA!
Posted by: Madam Chow | May 05, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Brilliant idea! These tiramisushi are just adorable and I bet they are so good!
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | May 05, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Not only is that one of the most creative ideas ever, and they look amazingly delicious, but I love the name you came up for them 'tiramisushi'. Brilliant!
Posted by: Lisa | May 05, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Woahhhh... great idea Teanna! So creative and whimsical!
The end result has a lot of character, and presents very well... as all you do anyways!
Posted by: Vibi | May 05, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I WISH I could be your neighbor. It sounds like you had a wonderful evening and your dessert looks delightful!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 05, 2009 at 11:20 AM
How creative! I love it, but I think turning this dessert into "finger food" would be dangerous in my kitchen - too easy to grab one from the fridge every time I walked through the kitchen. Ha ha!
Posted by: Joanna | May 05, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Very creative mind you have dear! I love the looks of your Tiramisu creation.
I made cupcakes and was a total slacker since I quit drinking years ago and coffee make my stomach ache. I really simplified the recipe to fit my needs!
Posted by: Michelle | May 05, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Adorable! I love this.
Posted by: Sara | May 05, 2009 at 11:55 AM