If heaven were fried

It would taste like this. Jon wasn't as big a fan of it as I was, so I was trying to describe the allure. It's basically like a dessert hashbrown. All soft and warm on the inside, and crispy and golden on the outside. You can pick it up and eat it with your hands making it a great dessert to eat when you're running around the house, trying to get your things ready for the next day.

By the way, I don't completely buy the fact that he doesn't like these since with every bite he made a comment like "I don't want to like these, but after every bite I'm surprised by how good it tastes." On the other hand, he didn't finish his dessert, which is very unusual in the house. Since we very rarely partake in anything fried, I'll be more than happy to finish these off over the next few weeks...

This is one of those classic Italian desserts that is often overlooked, and not a common item on restaurant menus. Especially in health conscious Italian restaurants (wait, do those really exist?) Like its brother and sister the tiramisu and panna cotta, it is sweet, creamy, and decadent. However, unlike the tiramisu it is ridiculously easy to make. And unlike the panna cotta, eating it makes your arteries immediately begin to harden. Good thing they come all individually sized!

Italian Fried Cream

4 cups half and half
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp grated orange peel
1 Tbsp grated lemon peel
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
10 Tbsp semolina flour
panko
AP flour
1 large egg
vegetable oil

1) Boil first seven ingredients in large saucepan.
2) Gradually whisk semolina. Whisk constantly until mixture is thick. Pour into glass baking dish, spreading evenly. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate 4 hours.
3) Cut refrigerated cream into 24 squares. Place panko in medium shallow bowl, place flour on plate, and whisk egg in small bowl.
4) Dredge each square in flour, then egg, then panko.
5) Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat until 350 degrees. Working in batches, fry squares till golden, about five minutes. Tranfer to paper towels to drain.

Serves 24.
Each serving has:

Calories		115.0
Total Fat		5.9 g
Cholesterol		26.4 mg
Sodium		19.5 mg
Potassium		69.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate		13.1 g
Protein		2.5 g