my birthday is 10 days away. It is so crazy that soon I will be 23. My "jordan" year. (What Jeff would say) A whole year has passed by since I started cooking in a kitchen at my school. I think i would be make custards or something. Talking about school, I am in my 11th week of my externship. One final week and I call this culinary school officially complete. YES! Finally I can say I accomplished something.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, my birthday. I noticed every year my birthday seems to be less of an importance. I suppose I make it that way but can't help it. After you have a bad birthday, you doesn't seem important. Well not this time! I am forcing myself to have the best birthday ever!! How you ask? Well I am not sure but, dog gone this is going to be a good one. Excuse me, the BEST one!

I made zabaglione today. Crazy word. It's a traditional Italian dessert made up of whipped egg yolks, sugar and Marsala. Very simple but tasty indeed. I added Marsala and sugar soaked strawberries to the mix. Kind of has a kick. A very light dessert that is very easy. If you don't like "frothy" things, you might not like it but if you do try it.

Zabaglione
makes 4 servings

4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
4 Tablespoons Marsala or Sherry will work

Optional:
6 Strawberries + 2 TBLS Marsala + 1 TBLS sugar
Combine in bowl and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Place in bottom of cup when ready to serve.

Prep: Get a pot of water ready to make a double boiler. Remember you don't need that much water in the pot, just enough to make some steam.
1. Place egg yolks and sugar into a heat safe mixing bowl and whisk with a hand mixer or by the power of your hand till its light and fluffy.
2. Add a 1 TBLS of Marsala at a time to mixture making sure to beat well after each addition.
3. Your hand tired yet? Well, move your mixing bowl to the stove above the steaming water and whisk again for 5-9 mintues. What you want to look for is when you lift your whisk and you swirl it around, the "ribbon" or the drippings from your whisk stay for at least 5 seconds. Mississippi-less. (I am a huge FRIENDS fan. Only FRIENDS fans will get that.)

Don't give up on whipping that zabaglione! I know it gets tiring, so next time you make it, buy a hand mixer!

Pour into dessert cups over the strawberries into bowls or a regular drinking glass, like I did or whatever you got.

Its pretty good. Has a sophisticated, fancy feel but its good to satisfy the boys in my apartment!