Shaw TV Tortoni Recipe

Here's the recipe for the Italian frozen dessert, Tortoni:

Tortoni

~1/2 cup almonds (skin on, or blanched)
5 oz amaretti cookies (or other crisp cookie)
3 TBSP dark rum (I use spiced rum)
3/4 cup chopped/shaved chocolate
1 cup whipping cream
3 TBSP brandy (or another complementary alcohol, such as Amaretto, Frangelico)
1 pint good quality vanilla ice cream, softened

Preheat oven to 350F. Toast the almonds for ~10 - 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then coarsely chop.

Crumble the cookies into ~1/2 inch pieces, using a ziploc bag if possible. Place the cookies in a large bowl. Sprinkle the 3 TBSP rum over top, tossing to combine. Place the cooled, chopped almonds and chocolate on top of the cookies; toss lightly to combine.

Whip the cream until moderately stiff. Add the 3 TBSP brandy (or other liqueur). Spoon the whipped cream on top of the cookie mixture.

Using a spatula, lightly mix the ice cream until it is uniform consistency; softened, but not melted. Add to the bowl. Using the spatula, fold the entire mixture together until just combined.

Pour the mixture into a plastic-lined loaf pan (or a springform pan). Freeze for several hours, or until firm. To serve, cut with a sharp knife.

Tip: to make this dessert even easier, use chocolate-covered almonds, coarsely chopped. Play with the all the component flavours - cookie (gingersnaps, for example), alcohol, nuts and ice cream. You can also add dried/candied fruit.