Semifreddo Mixture 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:

• For the crust: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 5 by 3-inch nonstick loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Using 2 pieces of parchment paper, line the pan, allowing the excess to hang over the ends and sides.
• In a food processor, blend the biscotti and hazelnuts together until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are moistened. Using a flexible spatula, press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges of the crust are golden. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
• For the filling: In a medium stainless steel or glass bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Put the bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Whisk until the egg mixture is pale, thick and creamy, and an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees F, about 10 to 15 minutes. Put the bowl into a larger bowl of iced water to cool completely.
• In another medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream until thick. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until the cream holds stiff peaks. Mix 1/4 of the cream into the cooled custard. Using a spatula, gently fold the remaining cream into the custard. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate-hazelnut spread over the custard mixture and gently fold until just incorporated but still chunky. Spoon the mixture onto the prepared crust. Fold the overhanging parchment paper over the custard and freeze for at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.
• Run a thin-bladed spatula around the semifreddo between the parchment paper and the pan. Unfold the parchment paper and invert the semifreddo onto a platter. Peel off the paper and cut into 1-inch thick slices. Serve on chilled plates.

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator. Wash the mixing bowl and whisk attachment and set aside. (You'll need them again.)
• In a medium heat-proof bowl, combine the yolks, sugar, vanilla, salt and rum, if using. Whisk continuously, otherwise the sugar and alcohol will cook the egg, making the mixture grainy.
• In small saucepan, bring about an inch of water to a very low simmer. Place the bowl with the yolks on top of the saucepan to create a double boiler. (The bowl should not touch the water.) Whisk the yolk mixture continuously until the yolks are glossy, and have lightened in color and doubled in volume, about 5 minutes. The mixture should feel warm to the touch, and the sugar should be completely dissolved.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to whisk until the mixture cools to room temperature, 8 to 10 minutes. (It will thicken a bit as it cools.) Transfer the yolk mixture and the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed, until completely smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Very gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the chilled whipped cream using a silicone spatula, being careful not to deflate the mixture. Stop earlier than you think because transferring the semifreddo to the loaf pan will continue to mix it together.
• Carefully pour the semifreddo into the prepared loaf pan. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 12 hours and up to overnight. Mixture should be frozen solid.
• When ready to serve, carefully remove the semifreddo from the mold (you may need to run the base of the loaf pan under warm water for a few seconds to aid removal) and transfer to a chilled cutting board or platter. Peel off the plastic wrap. Using a clean knife that's been run under hot water then wiped dry, slice the semifreddo into 1-inch-thick slabs. Place onto a chilled plate, top with a spoonful of maple syrup, a drizzle of cherry surette or balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.

Steps:

• In bowl of electric mixer, beat eggs until pale and thick. Gradually add sugar; beat until fluffy. Slowly add Calvados, and combine.
• Hold bowl over, but not touching, pan of simmering water. Whisk until shiny and thick, about 8 minutes. Return to mixer; beat on medium speed until cool, about 10 minutes.
• In a chilled bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add one-fourth of the whipped cream to egg mixture; whisk. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch metal pan. Cover; freeze for 3 to 4 hours.