Yogurt Peach Semifreddo Recipes

SEMIFREDDO AMARETTI WITH FRESH PEACHES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks until they thicken. Add the half-cup of amaretti crumbs and continue beating for five minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl periodically, until the color of the mixture becomes light and the texture quite thick. Stir in the liqueur, if desired.
• In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites at medium speed until they foam. With the mixer at high speed, slowly add one-half cup of confectioner's sugar. Continue beating until the egg whites hold firm - but not stiff -peaks, about three more minutes.
• In a chilled bowl, beat the cream until it forms soft - but not stiff -peaks.
• Fold together the egg whites and the cream.
• Fold one quarter of the cream and egg white mixture into the egg yolks until they are well blended. Fold in the rest of the cream and egg white mixture by halves, deflating the mixture as little as possible.
• Turn the mixture into custard cups, individual molds, a loaf pan or an ice-cube tray without the separator. Cover well with plastic. Freeze for two to three hours. Semifreddo will keep in freezer for several weeks.
• When ready to serve, plunge the peaches into boiling water for 15 seconds. Rinse under cold water, peel and slice very thinly. Toss with lemon juice and the remaining one-half cup confectioner's sugar, adding sugar according to taste.
• Dip the molds (or mold) briefly into hot water and turn out the semifreddo. Serve individual portions or slices of semifreddo, surrounded by peach slices. Garnish the semifreddo (but not the peaches) with broken pieces of amaretti.

PEACH CHAMPAGNE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• In a stainless steel mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup of the sugar and a pinch of the salt. Whisk in the champagne. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water. (The pot should be sitting over, not in the water.) Whisk vigorously until thick, about 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and place it in a bowl of ice water. Cool until room temperature, stirring occasionally. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into the cooled champagne mixture.
• Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. (I like to use a pan approximately 3 1/2 by 11 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches but a 9-inch square pan will work.) Line the pan with plastic wrap, making sure to press the plastic wrap into the corners of the pan. (The nonstick spray helps the plastic wrap stick to the pan. The plastic wrap makes the terrine easier to unmold.) Gently spread half of the champagne cream into the loaf pan. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Refrigerate the remaining champagne cream.
• Combine the water and the remaining 3/4 cup sugar in a small sauce pot. Bring the sugar and water to a boil over high heat and boil for 1 minute until the sugar is dissolved. Cool the mixture to at least room temperature. (It can be made several days in advance and refrigerated.)
• Peel and pit the 2 pounds of peaches. Puree them in a food processor. Strain the puree through a medium holed sieve. There should be 3 cups of peach puree. Stir 1/2 cup of the sugar syrup into the peach puree. Add the remaining pinch salt and the lemon juice. Taste the peach puree. If it is not sweet enough add a little more sugar syrup. (The amount of sugar necessary will depend on the natural sweetness of the peaches. Extra sugar syrup can be used to sweeten ice tea.) Freeze the peach puree in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions.
• When the peach puree is frozen, spread it evenly into the loaf pan over the frozen champagne cream. Let the puree become firm again in the freezer, then carefully spread the remaining champagne cream on top. Freeze the semifreddo for several hours until hard. It can be made several days in advance.
• Peel the remaining peaches. Cut them in half and remove the pits. Cut in 1/2 inch pieces. Taste the peaches. If they are not very sweet, stir in a little granulated sugar. Often peaches are naturally sweet enough and do not need additional sugar.
• To unmold, invert the loaf pan onto a cutting board. Run a wet hot towel over the pan. Remove the pan. Carefully peel off the plastic wrap.
• Slice the semifreddo and place on a plate. Serve with some of the fresh peaches.

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.

YOGURT-PEACH SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line 8 1/2x4 1/2" loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a generous overhang on all sides.
• Cook peaches and 1/4 cup sugar in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until peaches are softened and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and purée until smooth. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, whisk egg whites, salt, and remaining 1 cup sugar in a medium heatproof bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, 2-4 minutes. Remove bowl from saucepan. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg mixture until tripled in volume, glossy, and completely cool, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk yogurt and lemon juice in a large bowl, then stir in mint. Gently fold in egg white mixture until combined.
• Transfer half of the yogurt mixture to prepared pan; smooth surface. Swirl half of the peach mixture into yogurt layer with a spoon, then repeat with remaining yogurt and peach mixtures. Fold plastic wrap overhang over top to seal and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours.
• Unwrap semifreddo and, using plastic overhang, gently lift from pan. Invert semifreddo onto a cutting board, remove plastic wrap, and let sit at least 10 minutes to soften. Slice into 6 even slices, about 1 1/2" thick; transfer to plates and serve.
• Do Ahead
• Semifreddo can be frozen for up to 3 days.