Almond Brittle Cappuccino Semifreddo Food

ALMOND BRITTLE CAPPUCCINO SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• 1. For Almond Brittle: COAT large baking sheet with no-stick cooking spray. Combine sugar, corn syrup and almonds in 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 8 to 9 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir in shortening and almond extract until well blended. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute.
• 2. STIR in baking soda until light and foamy. Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheet spreading quickly into an even layer, about 1/4-inch thick. Cool completely. Break into pieces. Coarsely grind half the brittle in food processor.
• 3. For Semifreddo: LINE 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap extending over the sides of pan. Beat egg yolks and salt with whisk in medium bowl until lemony. Heat milk in small saucepan on medium heat until simmering. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk into eggs. Return egg mixture to pan. Heat on medium until mixture thickens. Stir in almond extract, sweetened condensed milk and instant espresso coffee, blending until coffee is dissolved. Cool completely.
• 4. BEAT heavy cream in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in cooled semifreddo mixture. Sprinkle with coarsely ground almond brittle; fold in gently. Pour into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze 8 hours or until firm. Uncover. Invert onto platter. Remove plastic wrap. Slice into 9 1-inch servings. Garnish with reserved pieces of almond brittle.

TANGERINE SEMIFREDDO WITH SALTED ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• For brittle:
• Coat large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon butter. Combine sugar, corn syrup, 1 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Boil without stirring until mixture turns amber and thermometer registers 330°F to 340°F, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; immediately stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then almonds and baking soda (mixture will bubble). Working quickly, pour mixture out onto prepared baking sheet. Using offset metal spatula, quickly spread mixture into irregular 15x10-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon sea salt evenly over brittle. Cool brittle completely at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Break brittle into irregular pieces and store in airtight container.
• Coarsely chop enough brittle to measure 1 1/2 cups; store in airtight container while making semifreddo mixture.
• For semifreddo:
• Line 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving generous overhang on all sides. Fill large bowl with ice cubes and water. Whisk egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, tangerine juice, and tangerine peel in medium metal bowl. Set bowl with yolk mixture over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160&Deg;F, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over hot water and set over bowl with ice water. Using electric mixer, beat mixture until thick and cool, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over ice water.
• Beat cream in another large bowl until peaks form; set aside. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/3 of egg whites into yolk mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions. Fold in whipped cream in 2 additions until just incorporated.
• Spread 1/3 of semifreddo mixture (about 3 cups) evenly in loaf pan. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chopped brittle evenly over. Repeat layering with half of remaining semifreddo mixture; sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup brittle over, then spread remaining semifreddo mixture over (loaf pan will be very full and mixture will extend slightly over top of pan). Fold plastic wrap overhang over semifreddo to cover. Freeze overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For sauce:
• Bring tangerine juice and honey to boil in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil until mixture is syrupy and reduced to generous 1/3 cup, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl; cool completely. Stir in tangerine segments. DO AHEAD: Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Invert semifreddo onto platter. Remove plastic wrap. Dip large knife into hot water, wipe dry, then cut semifreddo crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices, dipping knife into water and wiping dry as needed. Place 1 slice on each plate. Spoon tangerine sauce alongside semifreddo and serve.
• Ingredient tip:
• Maldon sea salt has soft, pyramid-shaped crystals and a mild flavor. It's available at some specialty foods stores and from igourmet.com.

"COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS" CAPPUCCINO SEMIFREDDO WITH CINNAMON-SUGAR DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• For the cappuccino semifreddo: Place the egg yolks and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the bowl. Whip for about 12 minutes at medium speed, or until the mixture has lightened and tripled in volume. Beat in the espresso extract. Transfer the mixture to a bowl placed in a larger bowl of ice water to maintain its consistency.
• In a mixer bowl or a metal bowl, whip the heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of the sugar until it holds its shape when the whisk or beater is lifted. Fold the whipped cream into the yolk mixture and return the bowl to the ice.
• Whip the egg whites in a mixer bowl or metal bowl until they are frothy. While whipping, add in the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar and whip the egg whites just until they hold soft peaks, being careful not to overwhip them. Fold in the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture until they are completely combined.
• Spoon the semifreddo into six 8- to 10-ounce coffee cups, leaving at least 1/2 inch at the top for the steamed milk. Gently tap the cups against the counter to level the mixture. Cover the cups with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer until frozen, at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight. These will keep for up to 3 days in the freezer; after that time, they will start to deflate.
• For the cinnamon-sugar doughnuts part 1: Place the water in the bowl of a mixer. Crumble the yeast into the water; mix and crush the yeast with a spoon to dissolve. Add the flour to the bowl and, using the dough hook, mix slowly until the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
• Transfer this sponge to a bowl, cover, and let proof at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, until it has doubled; or place the bowl in the refrigerator to proof overnight.
• Part 2: Crumble the yeast into the milk in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Place 3/4 cup of the flour, the sugar, and salt in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mixing on low speed, pour in the milk and yeast mixture, followed by the egg yolks and butter. Mix for a minute to combine.
• Add the proofed sponge and the remaining 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour. Continue to beat at low speed until combined. Turn up the speed slightly and knead the dough for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it has formed a ball and cleans the sides of the bowl. If the dough seems wet, it may be necessary to add 1 to 2 more tablespoons flour. Cover the bowl and let the dough proof overnight in the refrigerator.
• To shape the doughnuts: Place the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out the doughnuts using a 2-inch doughnut cutter, or a 2-inch biscuit cutter (in which case, you will also need a 3/4-inch cutter to make the hole). Place the doughnuts and doughnut holes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the doughnuts with a sheet of plastic wrap that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
• At this point, the doughnuts can be frozen for several days, refrigerated, or allowed to rise at room temperature. If they're frozen, defrost them and then allow them to rise at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. They can be refrigerated for several hours or overnight, to rise slowly. When you remove them from the refrigerator, uncover them and let them finish proofing in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes. If they have not been refrigerated or frozen, they should rise at room temperature in about 15 minutes. Once proofed, they will have risen to approximately 3/4 inch.
• To cook the doughnuts: In a deep heavy saucepan large enough to hold half the doughnuts and holes at a time, heat canola oil for deep-frying to 325 degrees F. Add half the doughnuts and holes to the oil and cook for approximately 30 seconds on the first side. Flip the doughnuts and fry for 1 minute on the second side, then turn back to the first side to cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until a deep golden brown. Remove the doughnuts, drain them briefly on paper towels, and toss them in a bowl with the cinnamon sugar. Repeat with the remaining doughnuts.
• To complete: Remove the semifreddo from the freezer a few minutes before serving to soften slightly. Steam the milk using a cappuccino machine or frothing machine. Place a cup of semifreddo and a doughnut on each of six plates. Top each doughnut with a doughnut hole. Spoon the steamed milk over the semifreddo and serve immediately.

ALMOND MILK FRAPPUCCINO®

Steps:

• Blend ice, almond milk, espresso, and honey in a blender until smooth.

CAPPUCCINO SEMIFREDDO WITH MOCHA SAUCE (SEMIFREDDO AL CAPPUCCINO

Steps:

• Semifreddo: Line a 9x5x3 inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the ends.
• Chill the pan in the freezer.
• In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup of the confectioner's sugar, and the cinnamon until thick and pale.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until they are foamy.
• Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, beating until the whites just hold stiff peaks.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream until it just holds stiff peaks.
• Gently but thoroughly fold in the whites, and then fold the cream mixture into the yolk mixture.
• Pour half the mixture into the chilled pan and freeze it for 45 minutes.
• Stir the espresso into the remaining mixture, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
• Stir the espresso mixture and pour it over the frozen cinnamon layer, smoothing the top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
• Unmold the semifreddo onto a serving dish.
• Sprinkle very lightly with cocoa powder.
• Serve with mocha sauce, if desired.
• Mocha Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the chocolate, espresso, and butter.
• Heat over low heat until the chocolate is almost melted.
• Remove from heat and stir until completely smooth.
• Stir in the Cognac.
• Serve warm.

SALTED ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• Lightly butter a lipped baking tray and spread the almonds over it in a thin, even layer. Put the sugar, butter, salt and 4 tbsp water into a smooth-bottomed frying pan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and boil for about 5 mins, or until it starts to turn light golden brown. Stir every now and again as some patches will start to caramelise faster than others. Carefully tip the caramel over the nuts and leave to cool completely.
• Once cold, shatter the caramel. An easy way to get clean sharp pieces is to put the point of a sharp knife vertically onto the caramel and bash the handle with a rolling pin, like a hammer and chisel. Serve on top of the Chocolate amaretti puddings. Keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container, interleaved with non-stick paper, in a cool, dry place (not the fridge).