Tangerine Semifreddo with Salted Almond Brittle

Instructions

Line 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving generous overhang on all sides. Fill large bowl with ice cubes and water. Whisk egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, tangerine juice, and tangerine peel in medium metal bowl. Set bowl with yolk mixture over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160 degrees F, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over hot water and set over bowl with ice water. Using electric mixer, beat mixture until thick and cool, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over ice water.

In a medium sized heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, salt and water. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and continue to cook undisturbed until mixture reaches 310°F on a candy thermometer.  Remove from heat and carefully stir in the butter, almonds and baking soda.
Quickly pour onto a well-buttered baking sheet and smooth into a thin layer with spatula. Immediately sprinkle with flake salt.  Let cool completely.

When the brittle has cooled and is hard, coarsely chop 1 1/2 cups of the brittle for layering in the semifreddo.   Save the remaining brittle in an air-tight container for another use or just to enjoy.
In an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks, tangerine zest and ½ cup of the sugar until the mixture is a stiff ribbon.  In another bowl, with a clean beater, beat the egg whites until soft peaks are formed.  Add the remaining ½ cup sugar and continue to whisk until stiff peaks are formed.  Finally, beat the heavy cream in a third bowl until stiff peaks form.  Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites.  Fold in the heavy cream.

Spoon one-third of the egg/cream mixture in the prepared pan.  Spread to distribute evenly.  Distribute half of the almond brittle mixture evenly over the egg/cream mixture.  Repeat with the egg/cream mixture and then the almond brittle mixture.  Finally top with the egg cream mixture.  Smooth the top with a spatula.  Cover with plastic and freeze for several hours or overnight.

With your fingers, remove as much pith from the tangerines sections as possible.  Bring a pot of water to a boil.   Add the tangerine sections and boil gently 20 seconds.  Drain and cool.  Combine the tangerine juice and honey, in a saucepan over medium-high heat and stir well. Heat the mixture just until it starts to thicken and is reduced to ½ cup, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely and add the tangerine sections.

To serve, invert the semifreddo onto a platter.  Remove the plastic wrap.  With a warm slicing knife, cut the semifreddo into 1-inch thick slices and place on a plate.  Spoon a few of the tangerine sections and a tablespoon of the sauce around the side and serve immediately.