Mini Meringues

So its been a while since I last did a baking post, with uni taking over pretty much my whole life I haven’t really had time to stick in head in a recipe book lately. I was lucky enough to have a day off this week and thought I would do a little baking. When it comes to baking, I try to experiment a little and try new things. I used to always stick to cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes but it is quite exciting baking something a little different. Now I am no stranger to meringues, I do enjoy whipping up a good Pavlova but I have never made smaller individual ones so now was my time. Mini meringues sandwiched together with cream, whats not to love!?

Ingredients

3 egg whites

180g caster sugar

1tsp vanilla extract

Food colouring (optional)

150ml cream (approx)

Pre-heat oven to Gas Mark 1/  . Firstly, beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff (you can try the put the bowl over your head trick, the egg whites should be stuck to the bowl and not fall out!). Then stir in a spoonful of sugar *sings Mary Poppins*, one at a time until all the sugar is mixed in and the mixture appears glossy. Also add the vanilla extract.

Then if desired you can add food colouring if you wish to colour your meringues. Then deposit the mixture into a piping bag and pipe small swirls onto baking paper ready for the oven. Place in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours until the meringues are crispy on the outside but soft in the inside.

When they are ready, allow to cool. Then whip up some cream and spread on the flat side of a meringue and sandwich with another. Fini!

Are you a fan of meringues?

Chocolate Pavlova

Hey there, so at the weekend I whipped up one of my favourite desserts ever .. Pavlova. If you aren’t familiar with the beauty of a Pavlova well basically its a huge meringue with cream on top and fruit, its amazinnngg. This was the first time however I decided to make a chocolate one rather than just an ordinary plain meringue and I used a slightly different recipe this time which is actually one of Nigella Lawson’s which you can find here, however I made a few odd changes. While they always appear to look a right mess (or is that just when I make them..) they taste incredible so do try this out if you haven’t made one 🙂

Ingredients

6 large egg whites

300g caster sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder (sieved)

50g dark chocolate (finely chopped)

Preheat over to Gas mark 4/180°C/350ºF. So first of all, beat the egg whites in a bowl until it begins to peak and then add in the sugar one spoonful at a time until its nice and glossy.

Then add in the cocoa powder and the chopped chocolate and mix.

Then place the mixture in a circle on baking paper on a baking tray. Place in the oven and reduce the temperature to Gas Mark 2/180°C/350ºF and cook for 1 hour and 15 mins or until crispy round the edges. Then allow to cool. Then whip up some cream (I used a 284ml tub) and place on top of the meringue and add some chopped strawberries (or fruit of your choice) and some sprinkled chocolate.

And Voila!

 

Summer Recipe: Eton Mess

Wimbledon tennis tournament in London has just started and one thing its famous for is its typically British strawberries and cream. If you are planning on watching the games this week and next or maybe just fancy something sweet for the summer sun then this recipe is perfect for you. As well as strawberries and cream, Eton Mess combines this with meringue to create a irresistible quick dessert.

Ingredients (for 4)

450g strawberries chopped

300ml double cream

4 meringue nests

Instructions (15 mins)

Chop 100g of the strawberries and press through a fine sieve using the back of a wooden spoon, to make a smooth purée. Set aside.

Quarter or roughly chop the rest of the strawberries. Whip the cream in a large bowl to soft peaks. Break the meringue nests into small pieces then gently and lightly fold into the cream with the chopped strawberries.

Divide between 4 small bowls and serve each one drizzled with the strawberry purée.

Credit to Realfood.Tesco