Semifreddo is a delicious frozen dessert that originated in Italy. It means "Half-frozen" in Italian, and has a light and airy texture as if you combined an ice cream and a mousse. Unlike ice cream, semifreddo does not requite an ice cream maker or churning. It is made by whipping eggs, cream and sugar, as well as other flavourings, then freezing the mixture in a loaf pan or mould.
I wanted to flavour this with strawberry and rosewater, while also giving it a multi coloured look. I achieved this by making a strawberry puree and mixing it through half of the whipped cream and egg mixture.
Ingredients
For the cream mixture
3 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups cream
1 teaspoon rosewater
1/2 teaspoon strawberry essence
For the strawberry puree
400 grams fresh or frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon rosewater
1/4 cup sugar
Optional for bottom of loaf pan
1/2 cup of roughly chopped strawberries
2 tablespoons edible rose pedals
Method
Place rosewater, strawberries and sugar for puree into a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries release their juices. Remove from heat and cool slightly before blending until pureed. Set aside for later.
Oil a 9x5 loaf pan then line with cling film twice with a lot of hangover. Set aside for later.
Combine eggs, yolks, sugar, rosewater and strawberry essence in a large heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of simmering water and whisk for around 5 minutes. This mix should be light and frothy. keep the water simmering and not boiling. If the egg heats too quickly it will scramble.
Remove from the heat and beat with an electric mixer until thick ands pale in colour.
In a seperate bowl beat the cream with either an electric mixer and stand mixer until soft peaks are formed.
Fold half of the cream into the eggs before adding the remainder and folding in again.
Split this mixture in two, Pour the puree into half and fold it in a bit, not fully.
In the bottom of the prepared pan, place the strawberries and rose pedals, You can use one or the other, both or none, They just add a nice look when sliced as well as a slight flavour pop, though some dislike the texture of rose pedals.
Pour the pink cream mixture in first, then the white. Fold the edges of the wrap over top gently and freeze overnight.
Turn out onto a plate so the pink colour is on top. Garnish with rose pedals, strawberries or a fruit puree.
Slice and serve!
Comments