Fruit And Cinnamon Semifreddo Recipes

MEYER LEMON AND SPANISH ALMOND SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment cream together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Pour the Meyer lemon zest into mixer and mix lightly. Meanwhile grind the almonds in the food processor or multi-food chopper. Pour the almonds into the egg and sugar mixture and mix lightly.
• In a separate bowl, either using the mixer or by hand, whip the cream to stiff peaks. When the cream is fully whipped pour 1/3 of the cream into the egg yolk/sugar mixture and stir in vigorously. Then take the remaining 2/3 of the cream and gently fold into the yolk/sugar/nut mixture.
• Spoon the mixture into individual forms or ramekins and allow to freeze for at least 6 to 8 hours.

SPICED HONEY SEMIFREDDO WITH DRIED FRUIT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until the sugar starts to dissolve and the yolks turn light yellow, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the hot milk, adding it in a thin stream at first so as not to cook the yolks, and then more quickly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, without boiling, until the mixture thickly coats the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and amaretto. Refrigerate until cool (or chill in a water bath).
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast until golden and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes.
• When the custard is cold, whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold into the custard along with the toasted almonds. Scrape the mixture into a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover and freeze until firm.
• Meanwhile, put the figs, dates, honey, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan and set it over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the fruit is soft. Let cool slightly, then remove the cinnamon stick.
• To serve, dip the bottom of the loaf pan in a bowl of hot water for 5 seconds. Put a platter on top and then invert quickly; lift off the loaf pan. Cut the semifreddo into slices and put the slices on plates. Spoon the spiced honey and dried fruit over and crumble amaretto cookies over the top for crunch.

CINNAMON SEMIFREDDO WITH FIGS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat cream on high speed until medium stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Bloom the gelatin by mixing with cold water, then resting to thicken, 4-5 minutes. In a small saucepan clipped with a candy thermometer, add the honey and sugar. Turn heat to low and slowly simmer the mixture until liquid reaches 238 F (called "soft-ball stage"), 10-12 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks in stages. Start by mixing on high speed until egg yolks are light and lemon-colored, 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the figs. Cut the figs in half. Toss in a bowl with lemon juice, bourbon, honey, a pinch of salt, and olive oil. Allow figs to macerate for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• After 4-5 minutes, when the egg yolks are light yellow, turn off the mixer. Mixture will still be thin and liquid as it drips off the whisk. Add cinnamon and salt. Beat on high speed, 2-3 minutes. Turn off mixer, scrape down sides of the bowl, and continue mixing on medium speed until pale in color, 1-2 minutes. Turn off mixer. Mixture should now fall from the whisk in smooth ribbons.
• When the honey sugar mixture has reached the soft-ball stage (238 F), remove from heat; carefully unclip and set aside the thermometer. Turn the mixer to low speed. Slowly add the honey-sugar mixture, streaming it in the space between the side of the bowl and the whisk, so it mixes evenly without splashing. When all of the honey-sugar mixture has been added, turn the speed to medium-high. Meanwhile, add the bloomed gelatin to the warm empty saucepan that contained the honey-sugar mixture, and stir to deglaze any residual honey-sugar. Turn the speed to low, and stream the gelatin into the mixer. Turn speed to high and continue mixing until the egg yolk mixture is thick, pale, and tripled in volume, 4-5 minutes.
• Fold the whipped cream into the egg yolk mixture in stages to gently incorporate. Use a rubber spatula to add ⅙ of the whipped cream to the egg yolks; briefly stir it before gradually folding it into the yolks to incorporate. Repeat with ⅓ of the remaining whipped cream, then ½, continuing the process of stirring and folding until all of the whipped cream has been added and thoroughly combined.
• Place 6 ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling. Evenly divide the semifreddo among the ramekins, first filling each one halfway, then filling them the rest of the way; this helps with even distribution. Place in the freezer for 1½-2 hours, and up to overnight. (Cover with plastic wrap if you have any strong odors in your freezer.)
• 30 minutes before serving, remove semifreddo from the freezer to soften slightly. Finish each ramekin with 2 tablespoons of sour cream, spread evenly across the top. Garnish with two fig halves, a spoonful of the macerated juices, and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve.