Jeff Smith Chef Recipes

JEFF SMITH'S TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Stir the expresso, sugar and brandy/amaretto together until the sugar dissolves.
• Remove 1/3 of the coffee mixture to another bowl and set the remainder aside. Whisk the egg yolks into the 1/3 cup mixture. Add the marscapone and whisk together until smooth. Don't overmix.
• Line a loaf pan with a large sheet of wax paper. Tuck it carefully into the corners. There should be a lot of wax paper remaining outside the pan.
• Dip the ladyfingers one at a time into the reserved coffee mixture and begin to place them crosswide in the lined pan. They will expand when soaked with coffee. This will take only a few seconds, don't leave them too long or they will fall apart. Line the whole bottom of the pan (7 ladyfingers). Spread with half the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with 2 oz of the shaved chocolate.
• Repeat layers of ladyfingers, cheese and shaved chocolate.
• Top the pan off with the remaining soaked ladyfingers.
• Fold the wax paper up around the top of the pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6 hours.
• Invert the chilled loaf pan onto a serving platter and tap the bottom of the pan to remove the loaf. Remove the wax paper.
• Place the cream, vanilla and confectioners sugar in a bowl and whip until stiff. Spread the whipped cream all over the cake in an attractive manner.
• Dust the cake with cocoa and decorate with shaved chocolate.
• Slice to serve.

CHEESECAKE, NEW YORK STYLE - JEFF SMITH'S RECIPE

Steps:

• Blend the cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup melted butter, and line the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch ungreased spring form pan.
• Blend the sour cream, 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a food blender for 1 minute.
• Add the cream cheese. Blend until smooth.
• Pour 2 tbsp melted butter through the top of the machine. Pour into the spring form pan.
• Bake in the lower third of a 325 degree oven for 45 minutes.
• When baking is finished, remove from oven, and turn oven onto broil. Broil the cheesecake just until the top begins to show attractive brown spots.
• Refrigerate for 4 hours, preferably overnight, before cutting and serving. This is not a low calorie version. Cut into small pieces - it is very rich. Serves 8-12.

"THE FRUGAL GOURMET'S" SOUTHERN BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
• Simmer SLOWLY uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• (approx 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.) (Watch it closely because it will burn if your heat is too high).