Chocolatti Semifreddo Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Break up all the cookies in a 6.75 oz. package of "Bordeaux" cookies. Then use a sieve or sifter to separate the pieces so that you end up with roughly 2/3 COARSE pieces (size of a dime) and 1/3 FINE pieces (like graham cracker crumbs).
• Set coarse and fine crumbs aside, in separate piles.
• Prepare semifreddo: in a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down sides. Then on SLOW mixer speed, add egg, egg yolk and cocoa; blend gently. Add lemon juice, zest and liqueur. By hand, fold in the COARSE cookie pieces.
• Prepare roll for freezing: Spoon the gooey mixture onto a sheet of foil or plastic wrap. Place in freezer and allow about 3 hours to firm up. HINT - a simpler method is to pack the gooey mixture into a bread pan (lined with plastic wrap). Note that you have not used the FINE cookie crumbs yet.
• Once frozen, unroll and coat the exterior of the roll with the FINE cookie crumbs. Return to freezer.
• To serve, place two slices frozen roll on a plate; garnish with whipped cream, raspberries and a dusting of cocoa, if desired.
• Funny note - our Italian cooking hosts called this dessert "Frozen Salami Roll" because the finished slices vaguely look like a slice of salami. We gently asked them if they would be offended if we NEVER referred to salami in the title, and they agreed!

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water. Combine egg yolks, sugar, and amaretto in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk until mixture is pale and thickened, about 2 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a small bowl. Place bowl in ice water until mixture has cooled slightly. Press plastic wrap directly over the surface, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Beat cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the white chocolate, then the chilled yolk mixture.
• Spoon mixture into one 4-by-2-inch baking ring set on a parchment-lined baking sheet or two 6-ounce ramekins, filling them to the rim. Smooth surface. Cover, and freeze until set, about 2 hours (or up to overnight).
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast until skins have split, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub with a damp towel to remove skins. Coarsely chop.
• If using a ring, run a knife around edge to loosen, and unmold. If using ramekins, do not unmold. Sprinkle with hazelnuts just before serving.