Cherry Semifreddo Recipes

DOUBLE CHERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Set aside a handful (about 50g) of the pitted cherries. Place the remainder in a large pan set over a medium heat with the cream and 50g icing sugar. Bring up to the boil, then gently simmer for 5 mins until the cherries start to soften. Carefully whizz in a blender, then pass through a sieve.
• Pour a little of the hot cherry cream over the egg yolks, whisk well, then pour back into the pan. Cook for about 5 mins more or until the mixture has thickened a little and will coat the back of a wooden spoon. Pour through a sieve into a bowl, cover the surface with cling film, then leave to cool completely.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then whisk in the remaining 50g sugar, 1 tbsp at a time. Keep whisking until the mixture is stiff and resembles shaving foam. Stir a third of the mixture into the cooled cream, mix until it is well incorporated, then gently fold through the remaining mixture in 2 goes.
• Line a 900g loaf tin with cling film. Pour the mixture into the tin, then cover with cling film and place in the freezer for about 3 hrs until just starting to freeze. Stir the whole cherries into the semi-frozen mixture, then return to the freezer for at least 8 hrs or preferably overnight. Serve cut into slices with some berries, or sandwiched between wafers.

CHERRY-RASPBERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Whisk together 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan. Add fruits; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil 1 minute, then stir in lemon juice and liqueur.
• Transfer mixture to a food processor and purée, then pass through a medium-coarse-mesh sieve, discarding solids. (You should have about 1 1/4 cups.)
• Combine whole egg, yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a pot of simmering water. Whisk until mixture is warm (about 160°F) and sugar has dissolved. Using a mixer, beat on medium-high speed until thick and cool, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Reduce speed to low; beat in 1 cup berry purée. In a clean bowl, whip 3/4 cup cream to stiff peaks, then fold into berry mixture. (You should have 3 1/2 cups.) Divide mixture between 8 freezer-safe glasses and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours or, covered in plastic wrap, up to 3 days. (Meanwhile, refrigerate remaining berry mixture in an airtight container.)
• To serve, remove semifreddo from freezer and let sit 10 minutes. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream to soft peaks. Divide remaining berry mixture between glasses. Top with more raspberries, cherries, and whipped cream before serving.

CHERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Place the eggs, extra yolks, vanilla and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water and, using a hand-held electric mixer, beat for 6-8 minutes or until thick and pale. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Whisk the cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold through the egg mixture until well combined.
• Line a 2 litre-capacity loaf tin with plastic wrap. Put the pitted cherries down into the bottom of the loaf tin, and pour the cream mixture on top. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve invert onto a plate, remove the plastic wrap and cut into slices.

CHERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line a large (23cm x 13cm x 6cm) loaf pan, cake pan, or mould, with plastic wrap leaving a good length of wrap hanging over the sides.
• Melt chocolate in a bowl with 1/4 cup cream over boiling water (or in the microwave for about 90 seconds on 100% power).
• Beat well together and cool.
• Lightly whip remaining cream.
• Whisk egg yolks together and beat into chocolate with cream and sugar.
• Stiffly beat egg whites and whisk into chocolate mixture.
• Stir in frozen cherries.
• Wrap securely in plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
• Serve sliced.

CREAM CHEESE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator. Wash the mixing bowl and whisk attachment and set aside. (You'll need them again.)
• In a medium heat-proof bowl, combine the yolks, sugar, vanilla, salt and rum, if using. Whisk continuously, otherwise the sugar and alcohol will cook the egg, making the mixture grainy.
• In small saucepan, bring about an inch of water to a very low simmer. Place the bowl with the yolks on top of the saucepan to create a double boiler. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Whisk the yolk mixture continuously until the yolks are glossy, and have lightened in color and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. The mixture should feel warm to the touch, and the sugar should be completely dissolved.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to whisk until the mixture cools to room temperature, 8 to 10 minutes. (It will thicken a bit as it cools.) Transfer the yolk mixture and the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed, until completely smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Very gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the chilled whipped cream using a silicone spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Stop earlier than you think because transferring the semifreddo to the loaf pan will continue to mix it together.
• Carefully pour the semifreddo into the prepared loaf pan. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 12 hours and up to overnight. Mixture should be frozen solid.
• When ready to serve, carefully remove the semifreddo from the mold (you may need to run the base of the loaf pan under warm water for a few seconds to aid removal) and transfer to a chilled cutting board or platter. Peel off the plastic wrap. Using a clean knife that's been run under hot water then wiped dry, slice the semifreddo into 1-inch-thick slabs. Place onto a chilled plate, top with a spoonful of maple syrup, a drizzle of cherry surette or balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.