If you want to impress your guests, this recipe for savory tiramisù is the perfect way to do it! Sure, a tiramisù appetizer might sound a little out-of-the-ordinary, but these single-portion delights are especially delicious during this time of year. Layer after layer, recreate a dish that’s very similar to a tiramisu, but uses only salty ingredients (instead of the usual sweet flavors).
Savory Tiramisù: How to replace Ladyfinger Biscuits
There are many ways to create a spongy layer inside a savory-flavored tiramisù. You can bake savory biscuits that are similar to ladyfingers at home or, much more simply, you can just use breadcrumbs. Choose the kind of breadcrumbs you want and remove the crust. The bread must be able to absorb liquids, though. And not too much!
Homemade bread is ideal, and we suggest avoiding regular old sandwich bread or pita bread. If you want a crunchier texture for your layers, use crumbled savory shortbread dough, crumbled breadcrumbs or taralli from Puglia.
The sauce for Savory Tiramisù
We do not use the classic espresso for soaking the ladyfingers in this recipe; instead, we use a simple, fresh tomato sauce. Cut some tomatoes and dress them with oil, salt, a clove of garlic (optional) and plenty of fresh basil. Cover with a lid for a while and use the liquid part to soak the bread. What’s left over of the sauce will be used to decorate the dish. If you don't want to use tomatoes, opt for a very full-bodied and tasty vegetable broth.
Tiramisù cream
For this recipe, we’ll go ahead and keep the basic ingredient for classic tiramisù: the mascarpone cheese. But to add a little extra flavor, we add a handful of grated Parmigiano Reggiano, a spoonful of fresh cow's ricotta cheese and some salt and pepper to taste. The ricotta serves to contrast with the sweetness of the mascarpone cheese – to add a little extra body to the cream. You can replace it with robiola for a more delicate flavor, or goat cheese for a more pungent taste. You can also add some flavor to the cream with grated lemon rind or with aromatic herbs chopped finely with a knife.
How to make Savory Tiramisù
Our recipe is simple – similar to a caprese salad, but re-interpreted with grand strokes. Use single-portion serving glasses and start with a base of bread soaked in tomato sauce. Continue with a layer of cream from the ricotta cheese and mascarpone cheese mixture plus some chopped tomatoes. If you’d like, add a little pesto for some color, aroma and flavor. Continue alternating layers and complete with a basil or mint leaf. For a completely white version, instead, soak the bread in some vegetable broth and alternate it in layers with the cream – just like a real tiramisu. Instead of cocoa, use black olive pâté.
So many savory tiramisù recipes
You can make a savory tiramisù with many different ingredients – just unleash a little creativity in the kitchen. Our recipe is very simple, based on ricotta cheese and tomatoes, but you can even make savory tiramisù with salmon and a mascarpone mousse; decorate it with fennel or use sundried tomatoes to give the dish a little more flavor. Or you could even choose cheese with a more intense taste like gorgonzola. Choose the ingredients you want, but always remember to respect the layers of cream and bread (to maintain the basic idea of a classic tiramisù).