Frozen Nougat And Chocolate Dessert Recipes

Steps:

• Line 9 x 5 x 2 3/4-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving overhang. Pour 1 tablespoon cold water into small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water) until melted. Remove chocolate from over water.
• Whisk egg yolks, 2 tablespoons honey, Grand Marnier and 3 tablespoons water in large metal bowl to blend. Set over saucepan of gently boiling water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) and whisk until mixture thickens and thermometer registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over water; add gelatin mixture and whisk until dissolved.
• Stir remaining 1 tablespoon water and 4 tablespoons honey in small pan over low heat until honey dissolves. Increase heat and boil until candy thermometer reaches 220°F, tilting pan to submerge thermometer bulb, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat hot honey syrup into whites. Continue beating until whites are cool and very stiff, about 4 minutes. Fold white chocolate into yolk mixture; then fold whites into yolk mixture in 3 additions. Beat cream and vanilla in medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold cream and nuts into mousse. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; smooth top. Cover with plastic; freeze overnight. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Freeze oval platter 15 minutes. Uncover terrine. Place platter on pan. Invert terrine onto platter; peel off plastic. Spoon chocolate sauce onto center of plates. Slice terrine; place atop sauce. Spoon Raspberry-Fig Sauce over center of terrine slices and serve immediately.

Steps:

• To make the praline, put the sugar into a heavy-based pan with 3 tbsp water. Place over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and is clear. Don't stir, or it will crystallise. Increase the heat and bubble to a dark caramel (see video technique), about 5 mins. Remove from the heat, stir through the nuts, then tip onto a lightly greased non-stick baking tray. Spread to level and leave to cool. Be careful as the tray will get very hot.
• When the praline is cold and brittle, break it into pieces. Then, using the end of a rolling pin, smash it up until fairly well crushed. If this is proving hard work, tip into a food processor and pulse until it's the texture of coarse breadcrumbs.
• Line a 1.2-litre loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment (this size tin gives a neat shape, but you can set the parfait in any shaped tin, or individual pudding basins or ramekins). In a bowl, mash the bananas with half the lemon juice until you have a rough purée, then set aside.
• Put the cream into a bowl and whip until it holds its shape but is still a little soft. In another very clean bowl and using a very clean electric whisk, beat the egg whites with a squeeze more lemon juice until stiff. Slowly add the sugar until you have a stiff, shiny meringue.
• Gently fold the whipped cream and meringue together, then add the banana and most of the praline, leaving about 4 tbsp to serve. Spoon into the loaf tin, smooth the top and freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
• To serve, remove the parfait from the freezer 10 mins before serving and leave in the fridge to soften slightly. Meanwhile, slice the bananas on a slant, allowing 3 slices for each serving. Lay the slices on a baking tray set on a wooden board and scatter heavily with the sugar. Use a blowtorch to caramelise the banana, then set aside. Be very careful as the tray will be extremely hot. If you don't have a blowtorch, place the slices into a hot, dry frying pan and sear the sugar-coated sides until caramelised. Lift and flip them over to a tray.
• To plate up, sprinkle a neat line of praline just off-centre on each plate. Arrange the slices of caramelised banana at opposing angles. Unmould the parfait, then use a warmed knife to neaten the sides and cut into finger-thick slices. Lay the slice on the opposite side of the plate to the banana and serve straight away.

Steps:

• Butter and line a 900g/2lb loaf tin with cling film. Bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer. Put the sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl, then place over the simmering water and whisk until pale, thick and doubled in volume. Remove from the heat, plunge the bottom of the bowl into cold water and continue whisking until the mixture is cool.
• Melt the chocolate in the microwave on Low, stir, then fold into the egg mixture. Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold into the chocolate egg mixture with the nougat and pistachios.
• Pour the mixture into the loaf tin, smooth the surface with a spoon, then cover and freeze until firm. This can be done up to 2 weeks ahead. To serve, turn out onto a serving dish, remove the cling film and leave in the fridge for 15 mins to soften slightly before slicing.