Banana Semifreddo Food

BANANA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toast almonds on baking sheet in oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until fragrant and crisp. Cool. Coarsely chop.
• Combine bananas, brown sugar, rum and lime juice in food processor and whirl until pureed.
• Transfer puree to large bowl.
• Beat cream in small bowl until frothy. Gradually beat in granulated sugar and salt until soft peaks form. Gently fold cream into banana mixture.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons nuts for garnish and fold remaining nuts into banana mixture.
• Spoon into 8 individual ramekins or dessert cups then cover with plastic wrap and freeze 1 1/2 hours or up to 3 days. (The longer the mixture is frozen the longer it will need to warm up slightly before serving.).
• To serve: Remove from freezer and let stand for 30 minutes or until softened to smooth and creamy consistency. Sprinkle with reserved nuts.

BANANA & COCONUT SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Pour into a 1 litre capacity airtight container.
• Freeze for 4-5 hours or until just frozen.

PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Prepare the crust: Spray a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan with cooking spray and line with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; spray the plastic wrap. Finely grind the peanuts and graham crackers in a food processor. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and refrigerate.
• Make the ice cream: Bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Fill a bowl with ice water. Whisk the egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, the banana puree, hazelnut liqueur and salt in a large metal bowl. Place the bowl over the pot of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and whisk until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and put in the ice water to cool.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with a mixer until the cream just holds stiff peaks (do not overbeat). Gently fold the cream into the banana custard.
• Heat the peanut butter in the microwave until soft, about 20 seconds; let cool slightly.
• Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter into the banana cream and fold until swirled.
• Spread the mixture over the crust in the pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 9 hours. Lift out of the pan using the plastic wrap and cut into 1-inch slices.
• Photograpy by Kate Sears