Vanilla Semifreddo Recipes

VANILLA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line 1 quart (9x4 inch) loaf pan with plastic wrap and place it in your freezer to chill while you make the egg-and-cream mixture.
• In a bowl, beat the cream with an electric mixer on high until doubled in volume and holds soft peaks when the beaters are turned off and lifted up.
• Set aside at room temperature, away from the stove's heat.
• Bring about 3 inches water to a boil in a large saucepan set over high heat; decrease heat so the water simmers gently.
• Clean and dry the beaters for your mixer; place the egg yolks and ¼ cup of sugar in a bowl that will fit snugly over the pan with the simmering water.
• Beat away from the heat at medium speed until thick and pale yellow; about 1 minute.
• Set the bowl over the saucepan and continue beating until the mixture will make little mounds when the beaters are turned off, lifted up, and any mixture on them is allowed to dribble back into the pan, about 2 more minutes.
• Beat in the vanilla, then remove bowl from the saucepan (do not turn off the heat under the pan) and set aside at room temperature for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, clean and dry the beaters again; place the egg whites, salt, and the remaining ½ cup sugar in another bowl and fit it snugly over the saucepan with the simmering water.
• Beat at medium speed for 1 minute, until frothy.
• Add in the cream of tartar and continue beating at medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, until smooth, shiny, and satiny, about 3 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan and continue beating off the heat until room temperature, about 1 more minute.
• Fold about half of the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth, then fold in the remaining egg white mixture.
• Fold in the whipped cream gently, just to incorporate it without losing much of the volume.
• Take the prepared loaf pan out of the freezer and pour this mixture into it.
• Spread the mixture gently to the corners with a rubber spatula.
• Return to you freezer and chill until cold and thick, about 6-8 hours.
• Once the semifreddo is set, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap to ward off freezer odors, can be stored this way for up to 2 weeks.
• To serve, turn the loaf pan upside down on a serving platter; hold the plastic wrap at the sides and lift off the pan, wiggling it from side to side.
• Pull the plastic off the semifreddo and cut into slices about 1 inch thick.

VANILLA SEMIFREDDO WITH RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 9-inch round cake pan and line it with plastic wrap, tucking the wrap into the corners and smoothing it out completely with your hands. Let the excess plastic drape over the sides of the pan.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream at medium speed, until it forms stiff peaks. Transfer the whipped cream to another bowl, cover, and chill while you make the rest of the dessert. Wash and dry the mixing bowl and whisk attachment.
• Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Use a paring knife to scrape the seeds and pulp into the mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and half of the sugar, and mix at high speed with the whisk attachment about 3 minutes, until the mixture is thick and light-colored and has doubled in volume. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Wash and dry the mixing bowl and whisk attachment.
• Whip the egg whites at medium speed about 1 minute, until frothy. Turn the speed up to high, and slowly pour in the remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Whip on high speed about 4 minutes, until stiff peaks have formed.
• Fold the chilled whipped cream into the yolk mixture. Then gently fold in the egg whites, a third at a time. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and tap the pan on the counter three times. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface, smoothing it with your hands (wrinkles in the plastic wrap will leave lines on the semifreddo). Fold the draping plastic wrap over the edges, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
• Take the semifreddo out of the freezer 10 minutes before serving. Spoon a little rhubarb compote onto six plates. Cut six slices from the semifreddo and place them on the plates over the compote. Spoon a little more compote over the top of each slice of the semifreddo. Pass the remaining compote at the table.
• Cut the rhubarb stalks in half lengthwise, and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch-long pieces.
• Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, and use a paring knife to scrape the seeds and pulp into a medium pan. Add the vanilla pod, sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Without stirring, bring the ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking for about 8 minutes, swirling the pan once in a while, until you have a deep golden brown caramel. Immediately toss in half the rhubarb and all the wine. The caramel will seize up and harden slightly. Turn the heat down to medium and stir constantly with a wooden spoon, breaking up the rhubarb, until it's jammy. Stir in the rest of the rhubarb and 1/2 cup water. Cook a few minutes until the rhubarb is tender but not mushy. Remove the pan from the heat, and strain the rhubarb over a bowl. Return the liquid to the pan, and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, stir 1 tablespoon water into the cornstarch (this is called a "slurry" and will help thicken the fruit juices). Whisk the slurry into the liquid, and let it come back to a boil, stirring continuously. Cook over medium heat a few minutes, until the liquid is shiny and thickened. Pour the liquid back into the bowl, and stir in the rhubarb. Chill before serving.
• The semifreddo needs to be made at least 4 hours ahead (preferably the day before), so it has time to set completely.