Meringue Napoleons With Lime Ice Cream And Blackberries Food

LIME ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Blend zest and 1/2 cup sugar in a food processor 30 seconds, then stir together with cream and milk in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, and remove from heat. Steep, covered, 30 minutes.
• Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons lime juice to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil, swirling pan occasionally, until syrup just begins to turn very pale golden. Remove from heat and whisk in steeped cream.
• Whisk yolks with salt in a large bowl and add cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Return to saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until custard coats back of spoon and thermometer registers 170°F (do not let boil).
• Pour through a very fine sieve into a clean bowl and cool, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup lime juice and chill custard, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
• Freeze custard in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

LEMON MERINGUE NAPOLEON WITH GINGER CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw two 4-by-13-inch rectangles about 2 inches apart on the parchment, then flip it over so it is marked-side down.
• Make the meringue: Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff shiny peaks form, about 6 minutes. Gently fold in the confectioners' sugar with a rubber spatula (do not overmix).
• Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch round tip. Using the rectangles as a guide, pipe 4-inch-long lines of meringue side by side in each rectangle. (The lines should touch each other.) Transfer to the oven and bake, rotating the baking sheet occasionally, until the meringue is firm and crisp but not brown, about 2 hours. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, make the lemon curd: Combine the egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat, whisking, until thickened, about 7 minutes. Whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time, until incorporated. Transfer the curd to a small bowl, then set in a larger bowl of ice; stir occasionally until the curd is completely cool, then refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the ginger cream: Combine the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, crystallized ginger and vanilla in a bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Assemble the napoleon: Place a meringue rectangle on a platter. Spoon the lemon curd on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with the ginger cream. Place the other meringue rectangle on top and gently press; refrigerate 1 hour. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.