Cherry Chocolate Meringue Pots Food

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CHERRY MERINGUE COOKIE RECIPE

Steps:

• Allow egg whites to come to room temperature in a large mixing bowl (about 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 225. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Add cream of tartar and salt to egg whites. Beat on high until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar to egg whites, 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat on high speed until egg whites are glossy and have become stiff. Beat in cherry juice and enough food coloring until the meringues have the desired color.
• Carefully scoop mixture into a piping bag fitted with a ½ inch star tip opening. Pipe meringue about 1 inch apart onto lined baking sheets.
• Bake cookies for 60 minutes or until meringues are dry and firm to the touch. Turn the oven off and let meringues sit in the oven with the door closed for another hour or until completely cooled.
• In a small microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate and shorting until smooth. Carefully dip bottoms of meringues into chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip down. Place meringues on baking sheet and allow chocolate to set completely.
• Store meringues in an airtight container.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Whisk the egg whites just until they form stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in the sugar, a couple of tbsp at a time, making sure you whisk really well between each addition. When all the sugar has been added, keep whisking for a couple of mins until the mixture is really thick and glossy and looks a little like shaving foam. Carefully stir in the cornflour, vinegar, cocoa powder and chocolate with a large metal spoon, just until incorporated.
• Tear off a sheet of baking parchment and use to cover a baking sheet. Mark a 25cm circle on the paper. Spoon over the meringue mixture, swirling into the circle, building up the sides a little, ready to keep the filling in. Cook for 1½ hrs. Leave to cool.
• When ready to serve, whip the double cream and icing sugar together in a big bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon the cherry compote over the meringue, dollop over the cream, then swirl around. Arrange a few of the fresh cherries on top to finish.
• Heat the oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1. Whisk the egg whites just until they form stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in the sugar, a couple of tbsp at a time, making sure you whisk really well between each addition. When all the sugar has been added, keep whisking for a couple of mins until the mixture is really thick and glossy and looks a little like shaving foam. Carefully stir in the cornflour, vinegar, cocoa powder and chocolate with a large metal spoon, just until incorporated.
• Tear off a sheet of baking parchment and use to cover a baking sheet. Mark a 25cm circle on the paper. Spoon over the meringue mixture, swirling into the circle, building up the sides a little, ready to keep the filling in. Cook for 1½ hrs. Leave to cool.
• When ready to serve, whip the double cream and icing sugar together in a big bowl until soft peaks form. Spoon the cherry compote over the meringue, dollop over the cream, then swirl around. Arrange a few of the fresh cherries on top to finish.

DARK CHOCOLATE POTS WITH CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• First, make the compote. Tip the cherries into a wide saucepan with 2 tbsp water and bring to the boil over a medium heat. When the fruit starts to soften, add the sugar and brandy, then return to the boil, reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer for 15-20 mins until slightly thickened. Spoon into a bowl or sterilised jar and set aside to cool.
• Melt the chocolate, butter and 1 tbsp water together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Alternatively, do this in the microwave in short 20-second bursts. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Beat the egg yolks with 60g caster sugar until pale and creamy using a stand mixer or an electric whisk, about 2-3 mins. Fold this into the warm chocolate mixture. In a second bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining caster sugar to soft peaks (ensure the beaters are cleaned thoroughly first). Fold the whipped egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture using a large metal spoon, then divide between six serving glasses and chill for at least 2 hrs.
• For the cream topping, beat the double cream with the icing sugar and vanilla using an electric whisk until thick, being careful not to over-whip. Top the chilled chocolate pots with a spoonful each of the cream and cherry compote.

CHERRY MERINGUE PUFFS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, place egg whites; set aside until room temperature, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line 2 large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper or foil; set aside.
• Heat oven to 300°F. Beat egg whites, vinegar and salt with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar and gelatin until stiff peaks form, scraping bowl occasionally. Spoon half of the mixture into large decorating bag fitted with large star tip #824 (at least 1/2-inch opening). Pipe puffs about 1 inch wide and 1 inch high onto cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart. Repeat with remaining mixture.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until dry but not brown. Turn off oven; let stand in oven 15 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave 1 1/3 cups of the baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring after 35 seconds, until melted and smooth. Peel cookies from paper or foil; dip bottoms into melted chocolate, and place on waxed paper. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Place remaining baking chips in small resealable freezer plastic bag. Microwave on High 45 to 50 seconds, turning bag over after 25 seconds. Squeeze bag until chips are melted and smooth. Cut small tip off one corner of bag, and drizzle over cooled puffs. Let stand until drizzle hardens, about 10 minutes.