Preserved Lemon Semifreddo
A Moroccan dessert of preserved lemon, egg whites and heavy cream. It's finished with basil syrup to serve.
6 hr 20 min · Serves 8 · Medium
Ingredients
Method
Start cooking mode- Prep 20 min · Cook 360 min · 380 min total
- medium
- 1
Place finely diced preserved lemon in a sieve and rinse very very well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Place preserved lemon in a sauce pan with lemon zest, water and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and syrup is clear. Drain through a sieve, retaining both syrup and solids.
- 3
Beat the cream until just stiff. Set aside. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy and just starting to mount. Drizzle in the syrup while running the mixer on medium-low. When the syrup is fully incorporated, turn speed up to high and beat until egg whites are glossy and doubled in volume, 5-6 minutes.
- 4
Fold lemon solids carefully into egg whites, then fold in whipped cream. Line a loaf pan with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving some hanging over the edges, then gently spoon mousse into pan. Cover with overhanging plastic, and refrigerate at least 6 hours.
- 5
Meanwhile, combine water, sugar and basil in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved and syrup is clear. Cool to room temperature, then process in a blender until basil is shredded into fine flecks.
- 6
When ready to serve, invert loaf pan onto a plate. Remove pan and plastic. Cut semifreddo into 1" thick slices and drizzle with basil syrup to serve.
Notes and swaps
- Not assessed yet. Check each ingredient if you have an allergy.



