Cinnamon Semifreddo With Figs Recipes

STICKY CINNAMON FIGS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium high. Cut a deep cross in the top of each fig then ease the top apart like a flower. Sit the figs in a baking dish and drop a small piece of the butter into the centre of each fruit. Drizzle the honey over the figs, then sprinkle with the nuts and spice.
• Grill for 5 mins until figs are softened and the honey and butter make a sticky sauce in the bottom of the dish. Serve warm, with dollops of mascarpone or yogurt.

CINNAMON SEMIFREDDO WITH FIGS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat cream on high speed until medium stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Bloom the gelatin by mixing with cold water, then resting to thicken, 4-5 minutes. In a small saucepan clipped with a candy thermometer, add the honey and sugar. Turn heat to low and slowly simmer the mixture until liquid reaches 238 F (called "soft-ball stage"), 10-12 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks in stages. Start by mixing on high speed until egg yolks are light and lemon-colored, 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the figs. Cut the figs in half. Toss in a bowl with lemon juice, bourbon, honey, a pinch of salt, and olive oil. Allow figs to macerate for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• After 4-5 minutes, when the egg yolks are light yellow, turn off the mixer. Mixture will still be thin and liquid as it drips off the whisk. Add cinnamon and salt. Beat on high speed, 2-3 minutes. Turn off mixer, scrape down sides of the bowl, and continue mixing on medium speed until pale in color, 1-2 minutes. Turn off mixer. Mixture should now fall from the whisk in smooth ribbons.
• When the honey sugar mixture has reached the soft-ball stage (238 F), remove from heat; carefully unclip and set aside the thermometer. Turn the mixer to low speed. Slowly add the honey-sugar mixture, streaming it in the space between the side of the bowl and the whisk, so it mixes evenly without splashing. When all of the honey-sugar mixture has been added, turn the speed to medium-high. Meanwhile, add the bloomed gelatin to the warm empty saucepan that contained the honey-sugar mixture, and stir to deglaze any residual honey-sugar. Turn the speed to low, and stream the gelatin into the mixer. Turn speed to high and continue mixing until the egg yolk mixture is thick, pale, and tripled in volume, 4-5 minutes.
• Fold the whipped cream into the egg yolk mixture in stages to gently incorporate. Use a rubber spatula to add ⅙ of the whipped cream to the egg yolks; briefly stir it before gradually folding it into the yolks to incorporate. Repeat with ⅓ of the remaining whipped cream, then ½, continuing the process of stirring and folding until all of the whipped cream has been added and thoroughly combined.
• Place 6 ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet for easy handling. Evenly divide the semifreddo among the ramekins, first filling each one halfway, then filling them the rest of the way; this helps with even distribution. Place in the freezer for 1½-2 hours, and up to overnight. (Cover with plastic wrap if you have any strong odors in your freezer.)
• 30 minutes before serving, remove semifreddo from the freezer to soften slightly. Finish each ramekin with 2 tablespoons of sour cream, spread evenly across the top. Garnish with two fig halves, a spoonful of the macerated juices, and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Serve.

STICKY CINNAMON FIGS

Steps:

• Heat grill (broiler) to medium. Cut a deep cross in the top of each fig and ease apart like a flower.
• Set figs in a baking dish and drop a small piece of butter in the centre of each fruit. Drizzle honey over figs, and sprinkle with nuts and cinnamon.
• Grill 5 minutes until figs are softened and honey and butter make a sticky sauce.
• Serve warm, with mascarpone or yogurt.

SAFFRON SCENTED FRESH FIGS WITH CINNAMON AND HONEY

Steps:

• Place 300ml cold water, the sugar, saffron, cinnamon stick and honey in a large pan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil gently and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the syrup has reduced slightly.
• Add the figs and simmer for a further 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Serve the figs warm with the yogurt and drizzled with the saffron syrup.
• Serving tip - Stir the yogurt into the cooled syrup for an extra creamy sauce, or serve chilled with ice cream.

GINGER, FIG, AND CRANBERRY SEMIFREDDO WITH BLACKBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Line 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, extending over sides by 3 inches. Whisk egg yolks, sugar and white wine in medium metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; whisk egg mixture constantly until candy thermometer registers 160°F, about 5 minutes. Remove from over water. Using electric mixer, beat until cool and thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in orange peel.
• Beat chilled whipping cream in large bowl until peaks form. Add egg mixture and gently fold together. Fold in chopped figs, chopped cranberries, and minced ginger. Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap overhang; freeze overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Turn semifreddo out onto platter. Peel off plastic wrap. Let stand 5 minutes to soften slightly. Slice semifreddo. Place 1 slice of semifreddo on each plate. Drizzle Blackberry Sauce over each slice and serve.