Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • About this site
    • About my photography
    • Privacy and Disclosure Policy
  • Recipes
    • Visual Archive
    • Regional Italian Recipes
  • Books
    • The Cool Side of Summer
    • Manu’s Christmas Menus
    • MsM’s Mobile App
  • Work With Me
    • Affiliate Sign-Up
    • Featured On
  • Out & About
    • Africa
      • South Africa 2019
    • Americas
      • Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize
      • CHILE AND ARGENTINA 2018
    • Asia
      • India
      • Japan 2015
      • Japan 2017
      • Japan 2018
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Slovenia and Croatia 2019
      • Italy 2019
    • Oceania
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti) 2017
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • South Island – New Zealand Guide
  • Blogging Tips
    • Blogging Platform
    • Web Hosting
    • Technology Tips
    • Food Photography
    • Increasing Traffic to your Blog
    • Links
      • MsM in Your Kitchen
      • Events
        • 150 years of the Unification of Italy
        • Olio, Erbe e Fantasia – LILT
  • Tips
    • Techniques
      • Pasta and Gnocchi
      • Pizza and Other Doughs
      • Sauces and Other Basics
      • Decorations
    • Cake and Cookie decoration
      • Cake & Marshmallow Pops
        • Flowery Cake Pops
        • Hello Kitty Cake Pops
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake Pops
        • Christmas Tree Cake Pops
        • Sea Marshmallow Pops
      • Fondant Cakes
        • Moo Cake
        • South Pole Cake
        • Lola Cake
        • Hello Kitty Yogurt Cake
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Yogurt Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Fondant Cake
        • Sweet Sushi Mini Fondant Cakes
        • Peppa Pig Cake
        • Tinkerbell Cake
        • Miffy Cake
        • Olaf Yogurt Cake
        • Frozen Cake
      • Sugar Cookies
        • Heart Sugar Cookies
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Sugar Cookies
        • Christmas Tree Ornament Sugar Cookies
      • Eggless Sugar Cookies
        • Chinese New Year Cookies
        • St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
      • Shortbread Cookies
        • Shortbread and Chocolate Hearts
        • Baby Shower Shortbread Cookies
        • Flounder Shortbread Cookie Pops
      • Easy Chocolate Cookies
    • Conversion Tables
    • Gift Ideas
      • Christmas 2010
      • Christmas 2011
      • Christmas 2012
      • Christmas 2013
      • Christmas 2014
      • Christmas 2015
    • Ingredients
    • Where I Shop for Italian Food in Sydney
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Christmas / PISTACHIO AND CARDAMOM SEMIFREDDO WITH ROSE CREAM

PISTACHIO AND CARDAMOM SEMIFREDDO WITH ROSE CREAM

December 20, 2012 By Manu 16 Comments

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

Today I want to share with you the recipe for a special dessert.  A few weeks ago, my friend Abeer from Cake Whiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of a special project she was working on for Christmas.  She asked a few of her favourite bloggers to come up with a Christmas themed dessert and post about it on December 20th.  Where’s the catch, you may ask?  Well, she asked us to take a classic and give it a new spin!  You all know I am Italian and I have an Indian husband… so I thought of “Indianising” a typical Italian Christmas dessert: semifreddo.  I have already shared with you the recipe of the classic Semifreddo al torroncino and the recipe of its Sicilian cousin: Parfait the mandorle (I actually have 2 versions of this: here and here).  What’s a “semifreddo”?  It is something between an ice cream and a mousse… it is a frozen dessert (freddo means “cold”) that remains soft (that’s why it is only a “semi” freddo).  I personally adore it and I think it is one of the best desserts you can find on an Italian Christmas table (and believe me, you can find MANY!).  So… how did I “Indianise” it??  I swapped the almonds/nougat/hazelnuts for pistachios, added a touch of cardamom and served it with some rose whipped cream, made by simply whipping the cream up with some Rooh Afza (the Indian rose syrup).  The result was so good that I have been asked to make this again and it will be our dessert for Christmas this year!  Do you think it could make an appearance on your Christmas table too?  Let me know and don’t forget to check out all the other Christmas themed desserts with a twist on Cake Whiz!

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

The Cool Side of Summer

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream
5 from 3 votes
Print

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

How to make a delicious Italian dessert with Indian flavours: Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream!

Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian, Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Author Manuela Zangara

Ingredients

  • 120 gms – 4.25 oz. pistachios
  • 300 + 100 ml – 10.5 + 3.5 oz. cream to whip
  • 3 eggs pasturized or very fresh
  • 100 + 60 gms – 3.5 + 2 oz. sugar
  • 50 gms + 1 tbsp – 1.75 oz. + 1 tbsp icing sugar
  • 1 ¾ tsp cardamom powder
  • 3 tbsp rose syrup Rooh afza

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing some pistacchio “croccante”. Put the pistachios in a skillet and toast them, stirring frequently, on a medium flame for a few minutes (make sure not to burn them or they will become bitter!).
  2. When toasted, place them in a non stick frying pan with 60 gms – 2 oz. of sugar and cook on a slow fire till the sugar melts. Keep stirring. When the sugar has browned, put the “croccante” to cool on a sheet of baking paper. Make sure to spread it well, so it will cool down fast.
  3. When cool, break it into pieces and chop it thinly with an electric mixer.
  4. In the meantime, whip 300 ml – 10.5 oz. of cream with 50 gms – 1.75 oz. of icing sugar and put it in the fridge.
  5. Then whip the egg whites till firm.
  6. Separately, whip the egg yolks with 100 gms – 3.5 oz. of sugar until pale.
  7. Add the powdery croccante, cardamom powder, egg whites and whipped cream. Mix gently with a wooden spoon making sure that the mixture does not lose volume.
  8. Line moulds with cling wrap, pour the mixture in and cover it with more cling wrap. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  9. When ready to serve, whip the remaining 100 ml – 3.5 oz. of cream with 1 tbsp of icing sugar and the rose syrup and use it to decorate your semifreddo.
  10. Serve immediately with some more chopped croccante and a drizzle of rose syrup.

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

Here are all the delicious treats my fellow bloggers came up with!

christmas extravanganza 00

1. Chocolate cranberry skillet cake from Sandra at Sandra’s Easy Cooking

2. Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s Menu

3. Annabelle’s ginger crisps from Liz at That Skinny Chick Can Bake

4. Chocolate cookies with candied fruit slices from Kate at Diethood

5. Honey pistachio sesame cookies (Barazek) from Sawsan at Chef in Disguise

6. Poppy seed roll (Makowiec) from Raven at Ravienomnoms

7. Stollen from Roxana at Roxana’s Home Baking

8. Cocoa mint shortbread from Tiffany at Comowater

9. Rose syrup chocolate bark from Abeer at Cakewhiz

Share

Related Posts:

  • Rose Panna Cotta
  • AUNT MARIA’S ALMOND PARFAIT
  • Walnut Semifreddo with Walnut Cherry Brownies and Cherry Compote
  • Pomegranate Panna Cotta
  • Marsala Gelato with Pumpkin Sauce

Filed Under: Christmas, Desserts, Gluten Free, Ice Cream, Indian, Italian, Special Occasions Tagged With: cardamom, Christmas, cream, dessert, fusion, gluten free, ice cream, Indian, Italian, nuts, pistachios, rose, semifreddo, Special Occasions, sweets

« BISCOTTI DI FICHI – FIG COOKIES
GREEN LASAGNE WITH STRACCHINO, ARTICHOKES AND SAUSAGE »

Comments

  1. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says

    December 20, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    I love semifreddo, and your `indianized´ version has some of my favorite flavors. Gorgeous recipe!

    Reply
  2. Jolie Angie says

    December 20, 2012 at 10:12 pm

    Wow lovely and so tastey

    Reply
  3. Liz says

    December 20, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    Such a gorgeous, tempting holiday treat, Manu! I love how you fused two cultures when creating this recipe. Merry, merry Christmas, my friend! xo

    Reply
  4. Sandra's Easy Cooking says

    December 21, 2012 at 3:30 am

    Very delicious Manu and you did such a great job!!! Have a happy Holidays!!!

    Reply
  5. cakewhiz says

    December 21, 2012 at 3:37 am

    thanks alot for being a part of my little extravaganza manu. i loved your creation. it was breathtakingly beautiful and it was awesome to see how you fused two cultures into one recipe 🙂

    Reply
  6. suzanne Perazzini says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    This is gorgeous – there’s nothing like pink to bring in the pretty factor. I love the twist you have put on this Italian classic. Great job!

    Reply
  7. Sawsan @chef in disguise says

    December 22, 2012 at 3:28 am

    Manu this is a work of art!
    I can’t wait to try it. The flavors in it remind me of a famous type of syrian icecream.
    You did a beautiful job and your pictures are breath taking

    Reply
  8. Ella-Home Cooking Adventure says

    January 3, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Wow.. this looks really amazing:) and really tempting. I love semifreddo and your recipe with rose cream makes it unique.

    Reply
  9. Easy Italian Recipes says

    April 10, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    Hi! Your semifreddo recipe was nominated as one of the “Best 300 Semifreddo Recipes on the Net”. To vote for it, please visit http://easyitalianrecipes.org/dessert-recipes/best-300-italian-semifreddo-recipes-on-the-net-vote-for-your-favorite/ – your recipe is positioned at #24 (random order).

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. No-Bake Chocolate Cookies with Candied Fruit Slices | Diethood says:
    December 21, 2012 at 12:36 am

    […] 5. Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s Menu […]

    Reply
  2. Honey pistachio sesame cookies “Barazek” « Chef in disguise says:
    December 21, 2012 at 4:01 am

    […] Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s […]

    Reply
  3. Cocoa-Mint Shortbread says:
    January 2, 2013 at 10:34 am

    […] 2. Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s Menu […]

    Reply
  4. pistachio raspberry semifreddo | Radical Muffin says:
    June 24, 2013 at 2:43 am

    […] big pyrex bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together 4 egg yolks and half a cup of sugar along with a split & scraped vanilla bean. Gently heat and keep […]

    Reply
  5. Stollen recipe — Roxana's Home Baking says:
    October 28, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    […] 5. Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s Menu […]

    Reply
  6. Christmas Extravaganza - Cakewhiz says:
    September 28, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    […] Pistachio and cardamom semifreddo with rose cream from Manu at Manu’s Menu […]

    Reply
  7. Cardamom and Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Salad - Healing Tomato Blog says:
    August 8, 2018 at 9:58 am

    […] Cardamom recipes are so delicious, especially in dessert.  Check out this dessert recipe by Manu’s Kitchen for a Seimifreddo. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome to Manu’s Menu!

Hi! I am Manu, the author of Manu's Menu. I was born and brought up in Italy and my blog can show you how to create authentic Italian food in your own home! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HOMEMADE PASTA MADE SIMPLE – THE BOOK. CLICK TO BUY IT FROM AMAZON NOW!

Homemade Pasta Made Simple

Archives

Categories

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Video Recipe: Orecchiette with Crudaiola Sauce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
foodgawker bowls-150x150
tastespotting150
Tasteologie badge
Pasta & Gnocchi

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book – Click to buy it now! On SALE for only $9.99!

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!
Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress
Community Table Contributor Badge
Sunday Supper Movement

manusmenu

manusmenu
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Cara Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Caramel Cheesecake Slice.  Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #miso #cheesecake #cake #dessert #japan
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A tradi Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A traditional pasta sauce from central Italy. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #pasta #pastasauce #ragu
Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprisi Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprising city. Come check it out. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #trieste #holidays #beautifuldestinations #history #food
Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Cre Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Crespelle. The best comfort food. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food #foodgram #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood
Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about some of the most important landmarks of the Great War. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #war #history
Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use up some of your #sourdough discard to make these delicious sweet or savoury crêpes. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food
Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #history #food #italianfood
Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cockt Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cocktail and an alternative to your everyday spritz. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #hugo #spritz #prosecco #drinks #cocktails #elderflower
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay S Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay Stir Fry. So good. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #satay #stirfry #pork #meatballs
Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crun Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crunchy and refreshing. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #picklingcucumbers #pickles #pickling #garden #cucumber #vegetarian #vegan #video
Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and d Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and delicious. Clickable link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #pudding #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #coffee #pannacotta
Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe adapted from the wonderful @jennifer_rodda. The best way to use up some of your Sourdough discard. Clickable recipe link on my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #pastry #cinnamonrolls #teatime #breakfast
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2011-2020 - Manu's Menu and Manuela Zangara. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more