Meringue Mousse Base Food

STRAWBERRY & ROSEWATER MOUSSE

Steps:

• Make the pâté à bombe according to the recipe instructions (see 'Goes well with'). Divide into 3 portions (you only need one portion for this recipe).
• Reserve 6 nice strawberries for decoration. Chop the rest into chunks of about 1-2cm and mix with the vinegar. Set aside for 20 mins. Spoon 1-2 tbsp into each of 6 glasses.
• Make the meringue according to the recipe instructions and mix in the rosewater with the pâté à bombe. Whisk the double cream until forming soft peaks, but do not over-whisk. Fold cream into the meringue mix followed by the remaining chopped strawberries.
• Pipe or spoon into glasses or a large serving bowl, decorate with the reserved strawberries and chill until required.

MERINGUES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
• 2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or foil. On each, draw 10 4-inch circles.
• 3. Mix the sugars and set aside.
• 4. In a bowl or electric mixer, beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt. Continue to beat, adding 1 tablespoon of sugar at a time and beating well after each addition. This will take about 10 minutes.
• 5. Add the vanilla and beat at high speed until stiff and glossy.
• 6. Using a pastry tube fitted with a large plain tip, pipe the meringue in coils starting at the center and continuing to the outside of each circle.
• 7. Bake about 1 hour, until cream colored and firm. Leave the meringues in the turned-off oven for several hours or overnight without opening the oven door.
• 8. When ready to serve, carefully peel away the paper or foil.

SWISS MERINGUE

Steps:

• Fill medium saucepan one quarter full with water. Set the saucepan over medium heat, and bring water to a simmer.
• Combine egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of electric mixer, and place over saucepan. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. Test by rubbing between your fingers.
• Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whip, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use meringue immediately.