Frozen Poppyseed Parfait Recipes

Steps:

• Parfait:
• Have ready a lightly oiled baking sheet. In a small, very clean, heavy saucepan, combine the water and the sugar and stir together over low heat until the granules of sugar have dissolved and the liquid appears clear. Increase the heat to high and simmer the mixture until syrupy and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook and burn the caramel. If crystals form on the sides of the pan, remove them by swirling the liquid in the pan, never stir the caramel with a utensil. Add the toasted almonds, swirl to mix and remove from the heat. Immediately pour the almond croquant onto the oiled baking sheet and allow to cool until quite brittle. Remove to a cutting board and, with a sharp heavy knife, chop coarsely.
• Line the base of an 8 by 12-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium stainless steel bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, combine the confectioners' sugar and the egg yolks, and whisk constantly for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture will hold a ribbon when the beater is lifted away. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes. In another bowl, whip the cream with the vanilla to soft peaks. With a large rubber spatula, gently fold the yolk mixture into the whipped cream, then fold in the crushed almond croquant. Pour the parfait into the prepared baking pan and freeze until solid.
• Creme Anglais:
• In a medium heavy saucepan, combine the whipping cream with the vanilla bean and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat, cover, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. In a large stainless steel bowl, beat the egg yolks and the sugar together until pale and thickened. Very slowly whisk the hot cream into the yolk mixture. Set the bowl of custard mixture over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into another bowl and refrigerate until chilled.
• Preheat a broiler to high heat. With a sharp knife, cut the frozen parfait into 4 by 4-inch squares. Place a parfait square in the center of each of 6 ovenproof dessert plates. Cover the parfait with sliced strawberries, top with an even layer of the other berries, and spoon some of the creme Anglaise over the top. Two at a time, place the dessert plates under the hot broiler until the creme is golden brown and bubbling. Turn the plates once or twice as necessary so that they brown evenly. Garnish the plates with mint sprigs and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Prepare the rhubarb by putting it in a saucepan with the sugar and 1/4-cup/60 ml water. Bring to a simmer and cook until soft. If it seems too runny, simply leave on the heat, stirring, to let some of the liquid evaporate. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• Beat the egg white to stiff peaks with the pinch of salt. Heat the sugar with 3 tablespoons of water to thread stage. Cook's Note: Which is just before it starts to color.
• With the beaters going, pour the sugar-water mixture into the beaten egg whites and continue beating until the stiff meringue is cooled. Meanwhile, beat the cream to peaks with the vanilla extract. Fold the two mixtures together.
• Spoon the rhubarb in the bottoms of 4 coupes. Top with parfait. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl place cut fruit, blueberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar. Mix well and macerate for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow fruit to be infused with lemon juice and sugar. Meanwhile in a small bowl stir 2 cups of lowfat yogurt and poppy seeds. In clear glasses, layer the ingredients starting with the fruit mixture then next layer with yogurt, then fruit, then yogurt. Repeat these steps until you have filled the glasses. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of an 8 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with parchment or waxed paper. Melt gianduia in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool chocolate. Whisk together yolks, sugar, liqueur, and vanilla in another metal bowl until blended. Set over pan of simmering water and whisk until yolks are pale yellow, thick and form a ribbon when whisk is lifted. Remove from heat and fold in gianduia and nuts. Cool to lukewarm. Beat cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold 1/4 of whipped cream into gianduia mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining cream gently but thoroughly. Spoon into pan, smoothing top, and put a piece of parchment or waxed paper on surface. Wrap well in plastic wrap and freeze at least 8 hours. To serve, unwrap pan and invert parfait onto a platter, discarding paper. Slice with hot, wet knife and serve with sauces and berries.;
• Merlot, L'Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley, 1996
• Fume Blanc, The Hogue Cellars, Columbia Valley, 1998
• Merlot, Columbia Crest, Columbia Valley, 1997
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley, 1997
• Late Harvest White Riesling (reserve), Chateau Ste Michelle, 1996 (375ml-dessert)