Meyer Lemon And Spanish Almond Semifreddo Food

MINI LEMON POPPY SEED SOUR CREAM SEMIFREDDO CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In a double-boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, half the lemon zest, and the lemon juice until well combined. Continue to whisk constantly over very low heat, until the yolk mixture has thickened and becomes pale yellow, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the sour cream, mix until just combined, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with a whisk until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into egg mixture. Gently stir in poppy seeds. Divide mixture evenly between lined mini muffin cups. If you don't have mini muffin cups, you can use regular sized to get half as many. Freeze for at least 2 hours or until firm.
• To serve, peel away the paper liners and garnish with remaining lemon zest.

MEYER LEMON AND SPANISH ALMOND SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment cream together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Pour the Meyer lemon zest into mixer and mix lightly. Meanwhile grind the almonds in the food processor or multi-food chopper. Pour the almonds into the egg and sugar mixture and mix lightly.
• In a separate bowl, either using the mixer or by hand, whip the cream to stiff peaks. When the cream is fully whipped pour 1/3 of the cream into the egg yolk/sugar mixture and stir in vigorously. Then take the remaining 2/3 of the cream and gently fold into the yolk/sugar/nut mixture.
• Spoon the mixture into individual forms or ramekins and allow to freeze for at least 6 to 8 hours.

LEMON NOUGAT SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Process the ricotta and sugar in a food processor until smooth.
• Finely chop the nougat or wrap in a tea-towel and smash with a rolling pin until broken into small pieces.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Combine the ricotta mixture, nougat, cream and zests in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a 2-liter mold that has been rinsed in cold water. Freeze until set. Turn out onto a platter and serve cut into slices with lime slices or fresh seasonal fruits.

SPICED HONEY SEMIFREDDO WITH DRIED FRUIT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the sugar until the sugar starts to dissolve and the yolks turn light yellow, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the hot milk, adding it in a thin stream at first so as not to cook the yolks, and then more quickly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, without boiling, until the mixture thickly coats the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and amaretto. Refrigerate until cool (or chill in a water bath).
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast until golden and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes.
• When the custard is cold, whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold into the custard along with the toasted almonds. Scrape the mixture into a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan, cover and freeze until firm.
• Meanwhile, put the figs, dates, honey, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan and set it over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the fruit is soft. Let cool slightly, then remove the cinnamon stick.
• To serve, dip the bottom of the loaf pan in a bowl of hot water for 5 seconds. Put a platter on top and then invert quickly; lift off the loaf pan. Cut the semifreddo into slices and put the slices on plates. Spoon the spiced honey and dried fruit over and crumble amaretto cookies over the top for crunch.

BAKED MEYER LEMON FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Peel potatoes and cut into 3/8-inch thick slices (lengthwise) cut again into 3/8-inch thick fries. Place the potatoes into a bowl with cold water; this will help keep the fries crisp and white. Just before cooking, drain water and place on paper towel, pat dry completely. Put in a bowl; add olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well and lay out in 1 layer on nonstick baking sheets. Bake until light brown. Cook for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, turning frequently until golden brown.
• Remove from oven. Add lemon zest, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Toss well and serve.

BRINED PORK LOIN WITH MEYER LEMON MARMALADE

Steps:

• In a large pot or bowl, combine salt, sugar, water, peppercorns and bay leaves. Submerge pork loin in mixture and let brine for about 4 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove pork loin from brine and dry well. Season well with Gray salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of a heavy, stove top and oven-safe casserole dish over medium-high heat. Brown pork well and place in preheated oven to cook about halfway, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1/4-cup olive oil in a medium saute pan over high heat. Add shallots and cook until they begin to caramelize, about 8 minutes. Turn heat to medium and season with salt and pepper. Add rosemary and let cook until golden brown (about 10 minutes more). Add marmalade and stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
• After 35 minutes, remove pork from oven and spoon half the shallot mixture over the top and sides of the pork. Place back in the oven and continue to roast until a meat thermometer (inserted into the center of the pork) reads 165 degrees F (about 30 minutes more). Remove and let rest 15 minutes before carving. Serve with reserved shallot mixture on the side.

LEMON SEMIFREDDO WITH ORANGE AND MANGO SALAD

Steps:

• Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Be sure to leave plenty of plastic around the edges so they can be folded over to cover the top. Put the almonds in the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer (this will eventually become the top, so make it look pretty!). Reserve.
• Whip the cream with a whisk or an electric beater until it forms medium peaks. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Bring a saucepan with about 1-inch of water to a boil, over low heat. In the metal bowl of a stand mixer, combine the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice and zest and the pinch of salt. Whisk to combine. Put the metal bowl on the saucepan, and reduce the heat under the saucepan so the water is just at a simmer. Whisk the egg mixture until it gets very light and fluffy, this will take about 4 to 5 minutes. For an insurance policy you can take the temperature of this mixture. It should be about 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Put the mixer bowl on the mixer and beat with the whisk attachment until the mixture has doubled in volume and the bottom of the bowl is cool when touched.
• Fold in the reserved whipped cream in increments. Do this gently but quickly. When it is a homogeneous mixture, pour it into the prepared loaf pan. Fold the plastic over the top and transfer to the freezer. Freeze at least 4 to 5 hours, but this can be done overnight or up to a couple days in advance.
• Combine the oranges, mangoes, mint and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture macerate for about 1 hour before serving.
• To serve:
• Remove the loaf pan from the freezer and open the plastic. Turn the semifreddo out of the loaf pan to a serving platter and remove the plastic. With hot knife, slice the semifreddo into 1-inch slices and garnish with the orange/mango salad.
• So refreshing!