Hazelnut Semifreddo Recipes

Steps:

• Line a small loaf pan with plastic wrap. In a bowl, mash the halva with a strong fork until crumbled.
• Stir in the nuts (reserve some for topping), while continuing to mash, mixing the nuts and halvah together until almost smooth.
• Beat the cream to soft peaks and fold into the halvah mixture. Pour into the loaf pan and bang the pan on the counter several times to distribute the mixture evenly. Transfer to the freezer and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. (To keep longer, wrap semifreddo in plastic wrap and keep for up to 1 month.)
• To serve whole, place the frozen loaf in a serving dish. Drizzle chocolate sauce or spoon fruit preserves on top, if desired. Arrange hazelnuts on top and slice at the table. Alternatively, serve as individual slices and pass toppings at the table.

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.

Steps:

• Grease a 10-inch spring form pan and line with parchment paper.
• In a food processor grind the hazelnuts and 3/4 cup sugar together, pulsing to avoid over blending so it does not become a paste. Whip the cream using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer, until fluffy, soft peaks. Transfer to the refrigerator.
• In a clean dry bowl, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla extract and 1/4 cup sugar and continue whipping until glossy and stiff, about 30 seconds more. Fold into the whipped cream, then fold in the ground nut mixture. Spoon the mixture into the spring form pan. Smooth the top. Freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Warm Glossy Chocolate Sauce: In the top half of a double boiler, combine the 2 chocolates over simmering water. Stir constantly until melted, then whisk in the corn syrup and water. Whisk until smooth and shiny.
• When ready to eat, remove the collar and serve frozen with chocolate sauce.
• *RAW EGG WARNING
• Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

Steps:

• Line 8x4 inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, extending the wrap at the sides and ends of the pan.
• In a bowl, mix hazelnut spread and melted chocolate.
• In a second bowl, beat cream just until stiff peaks form.
• Stir a large spoonful of whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
• Fold the remaining cream into the chocolate mixture, half at a time (mixture will not be uniformly blended).
• Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Freeze for 1 hour.
• Remove from freezer and cover top with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight until firm.
• To serve: remove plastic wrap from top and invert semifreddo on to a platter.
• Remove remaining plastic wrap.
• Let stand a few minutes at room temperature (not more than 10) to soften slightly.
• Cut into 1-inch thick slices and place on plates, drizzle each serving with 1 Tablespoon of chocolate sauce and garnish with a few fresh strawberries.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Make macaroons:
• Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw or trace 12 (3-inch) circles 1 inch apart on parchment and turn paper over on baking sheet.
• Put egg whites in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water and gently whisk constantly until barely warm. Remove bowl from heat and beat whites with a pinch of salt with an electric mixer until they just hold soft peaks. Gradually add 1/2 cup superfine sugar, beating until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in remaining 1/4 cup sugar, then nuts.
• Transfer meringue to pastry bag and pipe 12 rounds of meringue inside drawn circles on parchment. Bake in middle of oven until dry to the touch and crisp, about 1 1/2 hours. If macaroons are not crisp after 1 1/2 hours, turn off oven and let stand in oven 30 to 40 minutes more. Peel macaroons off parchment and transfer to a rack to cool (macaroons may stick if cooled on paper).
• Make semifreddo:
• Finely grate enough zest from oranges to measure 1 1/2 teaspoons. Squeeze 2 cups juice.
• Whisk together yolks, sugar, and potato starch in a 1-quart heavy saucepan. Gradually add juice, whisking until smooth. Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, 5 to 6 minutes. Pour through a very fine sieve into a metal bowl and stir in zest. Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir occasionally until mixture is cold.
• Freeze in ice-cream maker until soft-frozen. Spread semifreddo on flat (bottom) side of 6 macaroons and top with remaining macaroons, flat sides down. Wrap each in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to serve.
• Make wine syrup:
• Remove zest from orange with a vegetable peeler, then remove any white pith from zest. Julienne zest. Squeeze 1 tablespoon juice.
• Cover zest with cold water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Drain in a sieve and rinse under cold water. Pat dry.
• Cook sugar in a dry 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel.
• While caramel is cooking, bring wine and zest to a boil in a small saucepan. Tilt caramel pan and carefully pour in wine with zest (caramel will harden and steam vigorously). Cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved. Stir in orange and lemon juices, then cool.
• Let filled macaroons soften 20 to 25 minutes at room temperature, then serve with wine syrup.