Vanilla Semifreddo With Rhubarb Compote Food

VANILLA SEMIFREDDO WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Line the length of a loaf pan with plastic wrap so that it overlaps by 3 inches.
• Put the ricotta, mascarpone, honey, salt and vanilla bean seeds in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
• Whip the cream in a stand mixer with the whip attachment or handheld mixer until stiff peaks form.
• Fold the ricotta mixture into the whipped cream in 3 additions until well blended.
• Spoon into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Fold the plastic over to cover. Freeze until set, at least 6 hours.
• To make the raspberry sauce, sprinkle the sugar over the raspberries, stir and let it sit for 15 minutes. Puree in a small food processor. For a smoother sauce, pour through a mesh strainer to remove the seeds.
• To serve, take the semifreddo out of the freezer and pull back the plastic wrap. Let it sit until it's softens enough that you can lift it out of the pan (15 minutes or so, depending on the room temperature). Invert the loaf onto a board and slice with a sharp knife. Serve with raspberry sauce and fresh fruit.

SIMPLE RHUBARB COMPOTE (REFINED SUGAR FREE)

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan over a low heat. Start with 2 tbsp maple syrup or other sugar alternative and add more after cooking if needed.
• Stir well, cover the pan, and cook for 15 minutes, until the rhubarb is soften and broken down.
• Stir occasionally to stop it sticking.
• You can also roast the rhubarb if you prefer.

RHUBARB RIPPLE SEMI-FREDDO

Steps:

• Line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Put the chopped rhubarb in a medium-sized saucepan with the caster sugar, ginger cordial and 2 tbsp water. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 10-15 mins or until the rhubarb is soft but still holds its shape. Pour into a heatproof jug and leave to cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites with an electric hand whisk until stiff, then set aside. In another bowl, whisk the yolks with the icing sugar until they're pale and starting to thicken. Finally, in a third bowl, whip the double cream until thick. Fold the yolk mixture into the whipped cream until well combined, then fold in the egg whites and half of the broken meringues.
• Gently spoon a third of the cream mixture into the prepared tin and freeze for 20-30 mins or until just set (keeping the rest of the cream mixture in the fridge). Once it has set, take the tin out of the freezer and pour in half of the cooked rhubarb. Reserve a little of the cooked rhubarb for decorating later, if you like. Top with another third of the cream mixture and return to the freezer for another 30 mins. Once this layer has set, add the remaining rhubarb, followed by a final layer of cream. Cover with cling film and put it back in the freezer for 2 hrs to firm up.
• To serve, turn it out onto a serving plate and peel away the parchment. Decorate with any reserved rhubarb, the remaining meringue pieces and the crystallised ginger. Slice and serve immediately.

RHUBARB VANILLA COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine rhubarb, sugar and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer over medium high heat then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook until the rhubarb begins to soften.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Serve warm or cold.

RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine rhubarb with sugar over low heat. When the rhubarb starts to soften, but before it falls apart, about 5 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl.
• Cook down the remaining liquid in the pan until it thickens and turns syrupy, about 5 minutes longer. (This condenses and intensifies the rhubarb flavor.) Add the syrup to the bowl with the rhubarb and let cool. Compote will keep for at least a week in the fridge.

RHUBARB PANCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Put the rhubarb pieces into a bowl and add the sugar, honey, a squeeze of lemon juice and 3 tbsp water. Mix well, then lay the pieces flat in a roasting tray. Split the vanilla pods in half, then scrape out the seeds and reserve for the vanilla crème fraîche. Add the vanilla pods to the rhubarb, then bake in the oven for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, stir the vanilla seeds and icing sugar into the crème fraîche. When the rhubarb is cooked, drain the juices into a pan, then boil to thicken slightly. Mix the rhubarb with the stem ginger and juices, then spoon over pancakes. Top with a spoonful of vanilla crème fraîche and a sprinkling of lemon zest.
• Serve with our easiest ever pancakes. For recipe see 'Goes well with' above.

VANILLA SEMIFREDDO WITH RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 9-inch round cake pan and line it with plastic wrap, tucking the wrap into the corners and smoothing it out completely with your hands. Let the excess plastic drape over the sides of the pan.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream at medium speed, until it forms stiff peaks. Transfer the whipped cream to another bowl, cover, and chill while you make the rest of the dessert. Wash and dry the mixing bowl and whisk attachment.
• Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Use a paring knife to scrape the seeds and pulp into the mixing bowl. Add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and half of the sugar, and mix at high speed with the whisk attachment about 3 minutes, until the mixture is thick and light-colored and has doubled in volume. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside. Wash and dry the mixing bowl and whisk attachment.
• Whip the egg whites at medium speed about 1 minute, until frothy. Turn the speed up to high, and slowly pour in the remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Whip on high speed about 4 minutes, until stiff peaks have formed.
• Fold the chilled whipped cream into the yolk mixture. Then gently fold in the egg whites, a third at a time. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and tap the pan on the counter three times. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface, smoothing it with your hands (wrinkles in the plastic wrap will leave lines on the semifreddo). Fold the draping plastic wrap over the edges, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
• Take the semifreddo out of the freezer 10 minutes before serving. Spoon a little rhubarb compote onto six plates. Cut six slices from the semifreddo and place them on the plates over the compote. Spoon a little more compote over the top of each slice of the semifreddo. Pass the remaining compote at the table.
• Cut the rhubarb stalks in half lengthwise, and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch-long pieces.
• Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise, and use a paring knife to scrape the seeds and pulp into a medium pan. Add the vanilla pod, sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Without stirring, bring the ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking for about 8 minutes, swirling the pan once in a while, until you have a deep golden brown caramel. Immediately toss in half the rhubarb and all the wine. The caramel will seize up and harden slightly. Turn the heat down to medium and stir constantly with a wooden spoon, breaking up the rhubarb, until it's jammy. Stir in the rest of the rhubarb and 1/2 cup water. Cook a few minutes until the rhubarb is tender but not mushy. Remove the pan from the heat, and strain the rhubarb over a bowl. Return the liquid to the pan, and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, stir 1 tablespoon water into the cornstarch (this is called a "slurry" and will help thicken the fruit juices). Whisk the slurry into the liquid, and let it come back to a boil, stirring continuously. Cook over medium heat a few minutes, until the liquid is shiny and thickened. Pour the liquid back into the bowl, and stir in the rhubarb. Chill before serving.
• The semifreddo needs to be made at least 4 hours ahead (preferably the day before), so it has time to set completely.