Banana Peanut Semifreddo Recipes

SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• In a mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the cream into medium peaks. Add 1 cup of the sugar to the cream and continue to whisk until stiff peaks form. Turn the cream out into a large bowl. Clean the bowl and whisk attachment. Add the egg yolks and the remaining 1 cup sugar. Whisk until the yolks are pale yellow and tripled in volume. Add the yolks to the whipped cream. Add the almond or vanilla extract and begin to fold the yolks into the cream. Add the pistachios and turn the mixture out into a glass serving dish. Freeze overnight. To serve: Cut the semifreddo into desired size pieces. Place individual pieces in a serving bowl and top with berries and chocolate sauce. Garnish with powdered sugar and a sprig of mint.

PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Prepare the crust: Spray a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan with cooking spray and line with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; spray the plastic wrap. Finely grind the peanuts and graham crackers in a food processor. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and refrigerate.
• Make the ice cream: Bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Fill a bowl with ice water. Whisk the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, the banana puree, hazelnut liqueur and salt in a large metal bowl. Place the bowl over the pot of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and whisk until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and put in the ice water to cool.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with a mixer until the cream just holds stiff peaks (do not overbeat). Gently fold the cream into the banana custard.
• Heat the peanut butter in the microwave until soft, about 20 seconds; let cool slightly.
• Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter into the banana cream and fold until swirled.
• Spread the mixture over the crust in the pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 9 hours. Lift out of the pan using the plastic wrap and cut into 1-inch slices.
• Photograpy by Kate Sears

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 6-cup loaf pan with nonstick vegetable spray. Line the bottom with a rectangle of waxed paper. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together into a bowl; repeat 2 times. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed for 15 seconds, to combine. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 6 more minutes.
• In a bowl, mash the bananas until pasty. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla. With the mixer on its lowest setting, beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Beat in half of the banana mixture, then another 1/3 of the flour. Beat in the remaining banana mixture and the remaining flour. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until the center springs back wen lightly pressed and a cake tester comes out clean. Set the pan on a rack to cool.
• Turn the cooled cake out of the pan. With a serrated knife, trim off the end crusts and cut the loaf into 1/2-inch slices. Peel the bananas and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Spread half the cake slices with the buttercream and layer on the banana slices. Place the remaining cake slices on top to form sandwiches. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve with ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce.
• Peanut Butter Buttercream: On medium speed, beat the butter and peanut butter in a mixing bowl until blended. Reduce the speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat for 3 to 5 minutes, until smooth and fluffy.
• Chocolate Fudge Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the coffee, sugar and cocoa. Whisk in the corn syrup until all the sugar crystals are dissolved and the mixture is completely smooth. Place the chocolate and butter in a large, dry bowl or in the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water. When the chocolate has melted, whisk in the coffee-cocoa mixture until smooth and blended. The sauce is best if left to ripen for a full day before serving. Store in a sealed container. This sauce will keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.

BANANA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toast almonds on baking sheet in oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until fragrant and crisp. Cool. Coarsely chop.
• Combine bananas, brown sugar, rum and lime juice in food processor and whirl until pureed.
• Transfer puree to large bowl.
• Beat cream in small bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in granulated sugar and salt until soft peaks form. Gently fold cream into banana mixture.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons nuts for garnish and fold remaining nuts into banana mixture.
• Spoon into 8 individual ramekins or dessert cups then cover with plastic wrap and freeze 1 1/2 hours or up to 3 days. (The longer the mixture is frozen the longer it will need to warm up slightly before serving.).
• To serve: Remove from freezer and let stand for 30 minutes or until softened to smooth and creamy consistency. Sprinkle with reserved nuts.