Yogurt Peach Semifreddo Recipes

YOGURT-PEACH SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line 8 1/2x4 1/2" loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a generous overhang on all sides.
• Cook peaches and 1/4 cup sugar in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until peaches are softened and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and purée until smooth. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, whisk egg whites, salt, and remaining 1 cup sugar in a medium heatproof bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, 2-4 minutes. Remove bowl from saucepan. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg mixture until tripled in volume, glossy, and completely cool, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk yogurt and lemon juice in a large bowl, then stir in mint. Gently fold in egg white mixture until combined.
• Transfer half of the yogurt mixture to prepared pan; smooth surface. Swirl half of the peach mixture into yogurt layer with a spoon, then repeat with remaining yogurt and peach mixtures. Fold plastic wrap overhang over top to seal and freeze until firm, at least 8 hours.
• Unwrap semifreddo and, using plastic overhang, gently lift from pan. Invert semifreddo onto a cutting board, remove plastic wrap, and let sit at least 10 minutes to soften. Slice into 6 even slices, about 1 1/2" thick; transfer to plates and serve.
• Do Ahead
• Semifreddo can be frozen for up to 3 days.

SEMIFREDDO AMARETTI WITH FRESH PEACHES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks until they thicken. Add the half-cup of amaretti crumbs and continue beating for five minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl periodically, until the color of the mixture becomes light and the texture quite thick. Stir in the liqueur, if desired.
• In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites at medium speed until they foam. With the mixer at high speed, slowly add one-half cup of confectioner's sugar. Continue beating until the egg whites hold firm - but not stiff -peaks, about three more minutes.
• In a chilled bowl, beat the cream until it forms soft - but not stiff -peaks.
• Fold together the egg whites and the cream.
• Fold one quarter of the cream and egg white mixture into the egg yolks until they are well blended. Fold in the rest of the cream and egg white mixture by halves, deflating the mixture as little as possible.
• Turn the mixture into custard cups, individual molds, a loaf pan or an ice-cube tray without the separator. Cover well with plastic. Freeze for two to three hours. Semifreddo will keep in freezer for several weeks.
• When ready to serve, plunge the peaches into boiling water for 15 seconds. Rinse under cold water, peel and slice very thinly. Toss with lemon juice and the remaining one-half cup confectioner's sugar, adding sugar according to taste.
• Dip the molds (or mold) briefly into hot water and turn out the semifreddo. Serve individual portions or slices of semifreddo, surrounded by peach slices. Garnish the semifreddo (but not the peaches) with broken pieces of amaretti.

PEACH SEMIFREDDO WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a 4-cup metal loaf pan with a piece of waxed paper that covers the bottom and both long sides and extends three inches beyond the edges of the pan. The ends of the pan do not need to be covered.
• Cut the peaches in half, remove the pits and cut each peach half in quarters. Place the peaches in a food processor with the lemon juice, 1/2 cup of the sugar and the ricotta, then puree. Push the puree through a sieve to remove bits of skin.
• Refrigerate the peach mixture while continuing with the recipe.
• Whip the cream until stiff. Fold the whipped cream into the peach mixture, then pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Fold the ends of the waxed paper over the top to cover mixture. Place the pan in the freezer for 8 hours or overnight.
• Reserve 6 attractive raspberries for garnish and make the sauce by forcing the remaining raspberries through a sieve; or puree the raspberries in a food processor, then sieve them to remove the seeds. Sweeten the puree to taste with some or all of the remaining sugar. Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• An hour and a half to 3 hours before serving, unmold it. Run a knife down the narrow ends and along the sides of the pan, lift the waxed paper off the top and unmold the semifreddo onto a large piece of foil. Peel off the waxed paper, wrap the block of dessert in foil and place it in the refrigerator on its serving dish until ready to serve. It can remain in the refrigerator up to 4 hours.
• To serve, unwrap the semifreddo, place on its chilled serving dish and garnish with the reserved raspberries. Cut thick slices and spoon some sauce on each serving.