Best 4 My Nutty Semifreddo Recipes

HAZELNUT SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the hazelnuts in a single layer on a small sheet pan. Toast the nuts for 8 minutes, until they are lightly golden. Pour the nuts onto a clean kitchen towel and rub them to remove the peels. Put the hazelnuts in a large sealable plastic bag, seal the bag, and pound the nuts with a rolling pin until roughly crushed. Set aside.
• Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop the ice cream into 16 equal-size balls (8 of each flavor) and arrange in a single layer on a cold plate lined with plastic wrap. Cover the ice cream balls with more plastic wrap and freeze again until firm.
• In a medium bowl, whip the cream, a pinch of salt, sugar and 2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur to stiff peaks, but do not over beat.
• To serve, put 2 scoops each of hazelnut (or coffee) and vanilla ice creams into each glass. Add to the top of each 1 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur and 2 tablespoons crushed hazelnuts. Pour 1/4 cup espresso into each bowl. Top the ice cream with a dollop of whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serve immediately.
• Entertaining Notes: If you are doing this for a larger party you can pre-scoop the ice cream right into the glasses and store, covered, in the freezer.

PISTACHIO SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Pulse 1 cup pistachios with 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until very finely ground. Add remaining 1/2 cup pistachios and pulse until just coarsely ground.
• Beat egg whites in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until they just hold soft peaks. Beat in remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, a little at a time, then increase speed to high and beat until meringue just holds stiff, glossy peaks.
• Beat cream with almond extract in a wide bowl with mixer at high speed until it just holds soft peaks.
• Fold meringue into cream gently but thoroughly, then fold in nut mixture in same manner. Spoon into a 2-quart dish and freeze, covered, until firm enough to scoop, about 4 hours. Let soften slightly before serving.

CHOCOLATE SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 9x5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing 4 to 5 inches to extend over all sides.
• Stir cookie crumbs and almonds together in a bowl. Set aside.
• Place chopped bittersweet and semisweet chocolate in a large bowl and set a fine wire-mesh strainer over the bowl; set aside.
• Whisk eggs, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined.
• Heat 1/2 cup cream and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture begins to simmer, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly whisk hot cream mixture into egg mixture until completely combined. Return mixture to the saucepan and attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula and scraping the bottom of the pan, until mixture is slightly thickened and registers 160 to 165 degrees F (70 to 74 degrees C), 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let mixture simmer.
• Immediately pour into the strainer over the chocolate. Discard any solids left in the strainer. Let chocolate mixture stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth; whisk in vanilla and almond extracts. Let stand until completely cool, about 15 minutes.
• Beat remaining 1 1/2 cups cream with an electric stand mixer, using the whisk attachment, on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Whisk 1/3 of whipped cream into chocolate mixture until completely combined. Gently fold remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture using a rubber spatula until incorporated and no streaks of whipped cream remain. Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and smooth evenly with a small offset spatula. Sprinkle evenly with cookie crumb mixture.
• Pull excess plastic wrap at sides tightly over cake, gently pressing down on cookie crumb mixture. Freeze, 12 to 24 hours.
• Lift semifreddo from pan, using plastic wrap as handles, and transfer to a serving plate. Let stand for 15 minutes. Cut semifreddo into 8 slices, using a serrated knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each slice.

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.