Rhubarb Ripple Semifreddo

Joanne
Joanne @JoanneinBath
Bath, UK

Semi-freddo is an Italian dessert, which because the mixture is whipped doesn't freeze completely solid ('half cold') so it can be sliced and served straight from the freezer. This is a lovely version from BBC Good Food, which looks really impressive turned out of its tin and decorated. It's also a much simpler way to make an iced dessert, as there's no custard to make and no churning. I'm going to be making more of these! If you don't have any rhubarb you could use slightly poached raspberries instead.

Rhubarb Ripple Semifreddo

Semi-freddo is an Italian dessert, which because the mixture is whipped doesn't freeze completely solid ('half cold') so it can be sliced and served straight from the freezer. This is a lovely version from BBC Good Food, which looks really impressive turned out of its tin and decorated. It's also a much simpler way to make an iced dessert, as there's no custard to make and no churning. I'm going to be making more of these! If you don't have any rhubarb you could use slightly poached raspberries instead.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  1. 300 grhubarb
  2. 100 gcaster sugar
  3. 3 tbspginger cordial
  4. 4eggs
  5. 100 gicing sugar
  6. 300 mldouble cream
  7. 50 gready-made meringues, broken into pieces
  8. 50 gcrystallised ginger

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1

    Line a deep loaf tin with a double layer of plastic wrap, you could also use baking parchment.

  2. 2

    Wash and slice the rhubarb. Place in a pan with the 100g of caster sugar, 2 tablespoons of water and the ginger cordial. Poach on a low heat until the rhubarb is tender but still holding its shape, how long depends on how thick it is, but around 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool.

  3. 3

    Separate the eggs, put the whites in one bowl and the yolks in another. To the yolks add the 100g of icing sugar. To the whites add a pinch of salt. Measure the cream into a third separate bowl. In a fourth bowl break the meringues into pieces and mix with the crystalized ginger.

  4. 4

    With an electric hand whisk, first whisk the egg whites until peaks form. Then whisk the cream until thick. Then whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick.

  5. 5

    Fold the yolk mixture into the bowl of whipped cream until well combined.

  6. 6

    Add the whisked egg white and most of the meringue and ginger mixture to the egg and cream mixture, keeping some back for the top. Fold in with a metal spoon to keep the air in, until completely mixed.

  7. 7

    Spoon a third of the mixture into the prepared tin, bang on the work surface to settle and release any air bubbles, then place in the freezer for 45 minutes. Place the rhubarb and the cream mixture in the fridge.

  8. 8

    Remove from the freezer and place a third of the rhubarb and juice on top. Spoon over another third of the cream mixture and return to the freezer for another 30 minutes.

  9. 9

    Once that layer has also set, add most of the rest of the rhubarb and juice but keep the neatest pieces and some juice for decorating. Cover with the last of the cream mixture. Freeze for at least two hours, or overnight.

  10. 10

    Don't take the tin out of the freezer until you are ready to eat it, it will come out of the tin and slice easily. Turn onto a plate, remove the plastic wrap and decorate with the remaining broken meringue, ginger pieces and rhubarb. Drizzle with the rest of the rhubarb juices, slice and serve.

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Joanne
Joanne @JoanneinBath
on
Bath, UK
I enjoy cooking mostly because I like eating, but also because it's a great way to relax at the end of the day. I work in book publishing and especially enjoy creating cookbooks written by cooks who love cooking and sharing food rather than creating show stopping dishes that take days to put together. As Nigel Slater would say; 'we are, after all, simply making ourselves something to eat'. I live with my lovely daughter Isobel who rarely pays any kind of compliment but will occasionally admit something I've cooked was quite nice, and our dog Piper, who will eat anything.
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