If you walk into any pasticceria or bar in Italy you will see a glass refrigerator filled with semifreddi. A semifreddo is a wonderful dessert, or midafternoon snack, as it is light, and, as the name implies, is semi-frozen. Semifreddi come in a variety of flavors, with fruit and without, and this particular recipe is delicious, combining fresh cherries with whipping cream and an egg custard. It’s perfect for a Summer Sicilian dinner, whether you are in Sicily or not! I bought the cherries to make this recipe in lower Michigan- take advantage of your local produce over the Summer! That’s a typical Italian shopping technique that reflects la dolce vita.

Buon Appetito, Tutti a Tavola, e Tante Belle Cose!

~Lisa

Lisa’s Cherry Vanilla Semifreddo Ingredients:

4 large eggs

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons pure Vanilla extract

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and chopped

Lisa’s Cherry Vanilla Semifreddo Directions:

Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Let some excess plastic wrap hang over the sides of the loaf pan. In a double boiler, whip the eggs and sugar with a hand whisk until the mixture is thick and light colored. Add the vanilla. Set the egg mixture aside and allow it to cool.

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until peaks form. Mix the whipped cream with the egg mixture and fold in the cherries. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan, and place it in the freezer. Allow the mixture to freeze for a minimum of 4-6 hours. Slice and serve.