Banana Split Pavlova Food

BABY BANANA SPLITS

Steps:

• Pierce 8 unpeeled baby bananas in a few spots with a knife. Roast on a baking sheet at 375 degrees F until brown and soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Split open the bananas, slicing through the peel. Top with coconut ice cream and chopped peanuts.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a clean, dry bowl until foamy. Add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff, smooth and glossy, about 8 minutes more. On a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit a sheet pan, use a pencil to draw or trace a circle 9-inches in diameter. Line the sheet pan with the parchment, pencil side down (you should still be able to see the circle). Spoon the egg whites into the circle, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top and sides of the disk. Bake in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake until the meringue has puffed up and cracked on the top and the surface is lightly browned to the color of cafe au lait, about 45 minutes more. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and let the pavlova cool in the oven at least 30 minutes, to room temperature. This ensures a gradual cooling, which protects the delicate meringue.
• Whip the cream and brown sugar together until stiff. Spoon it in the center of the cooled pavlova and spread out to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Arrange the slices of kiwi around the edge. Arrange the slices of strawberry in the middle. To serve, slice into wedges with a serrated knife.

PASSION FRUIT PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275˚ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a plate or cake pan as a guide, trace a 9-inch circle on the parchment with a pencil, then flip over the parchment on the baking sheet (the circle should still be visible); set aside.
• Make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites, 1/4 teaspoon vinegar and the salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Gradually beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dissolved. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cornstarch, vanilla and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and beat until just combined, 10 to 15 seconds.
• Spread the meringue into a 9-inch round on the prepared baking sheet (use the pencil marking as a guide) and make a shallow well in the center. Transfer to the oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 225˚. Bake until crisp and dry, about 2 1/2 hours. (The meringue should still be white or a very pale cream color.) Turn off the oven and open the door slightly (use the handle of a wooden spoon to prop it open about 1/2 inch). Let the meringue cool completely in the oven, about 1 1/2 hours. Carefully remove the meringue from the parchment and transfer to a platter.
• Make the whipped cream: Beat the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Just before serving, top the meringue: Gently stir the passion fruit pulp to loosen. Top the meringue with the whipped cream and passion fruit. Serve immediately.