Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Strawberry Pavlova #8

                                            Strawberry Pavlova  (page 196)



4 large egg whites                                       1 pound strawberries, about
Pinch of salt                                               2 pints, hulled and halved 
1 1/4 cups superfine sugar, plus more for berries       or quartered
2 tsp. cornstarch, sifted
1 tsp. white-wine vinegar                              1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Vanilla extract                                             2 cups heavy cream





1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and draw a circle on the paper, using an 8 or 9 inch cake pan as a guide.






2. In bowl of electric mixer, combine egg whites and salt. Begin beating at low speed, slowly increasing to high speed. Continue until satiny peaks begin to form. Gradually beat in 1 1/4 cups sugar a tablespoon at a time, until meringue is stiff and shiny.









3. Sprinkle in cornstarch, white-wine vinegar and a few drops of vanilla, and fold in gently. 




4. Mound onto parchment within circle, and shape into a disk, flattening top and smoothing sides. Place in oven and immediately reduce heat to 300 degrees.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off heat, and allow meringue to cool completely in oven.







5. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine strawberries, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, balsamic vinegar and sugar to taste. Cover with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, and up to 2 hours.




6. To serve, invert meringue onto a plate, and carefully peel off parchment. (Crisp top of meringue will now be against plate.) Whip the 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, until it is thick enough to hold peaks. Spread it evenly over meringue. Cover cream with strawberries. Serve immediately. Serves 6.







1 comment: