Nigella Passion Fruit Pavlova Food

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.

LEMON PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F)/gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with baking parchment.
• Beat the egg whites until satiny peaks form, then beat in the sugar a spoonful at a time until the meringue is stiff and shiny.
• Sprinkle the cornflour (cornstarch) over the meringue, then grate in the zest--a fine microplane is best for this--of 1 lemon and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
• Gently fold until everything is thoroughly mixed. Mound onto the lined baking tray in a fat circle approximately 23 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter, smoothing the sides and the top with a knife or spatula.
• Place in the oven, then immediately turn the temperature down to 150 degrees C(300 degrees F) /gas mark 2, and cook for 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool, but don't leave it anywhere cold as this will make it crack too quickly. If you think your kitchen is too cool, then leave the pavlova inside the oven with the door completely open. When you're ready to eat, turn the pavlova onto a large flat plate or board with the underside uppermost--I do this before I sit down to the meal in question and let it stand till pudding time. This is so the tender marshmallow belly of the pav melds with the soft topping.
• Toast the flaked almonds, by frying them in a dry pan over a medium to high heat until they have started to colour. Shake the pan at regular intervals and don't let them burn. This doesn't take more than a minute or so. When they're done, remove to a cold plate so that they don't carry on cooking.
• Whip the cream until thick and airy but still with a soft voluptuousness about it, and set it aside for a mo.
• Put the lemon curd into a bowl and beat it with a wooden spoon or spatula to loosen it a little. Taste the lemon curd (if it's shop-bought) and add some lemon zest and a spritz of juice if it's too sweet.
• With a light hand, a glad heart and a spatula, spread the lemon curd on top of the meringue base. Now top with the whipped cream, peaking it rather as if it were a meringue topping. Sprinkle with the zest of the remaining lemon--you can grate this finely or coarsely as you wish--followed by the flaked almonds, and serve triumphantly.

VANILLA PAVLOVA WITH PINEAPPLE & PASSION FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 130C/110C fan/gas 1. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Draw four circles, 8-10cm in diameter, on the baking parchment, then flip over. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl using an electric whisk until stiff peaks form. Gradually whisk in the sugar until thick and glossy, then the cornflour and lemon juice. Pile the meringue in swirls onto the marked circles, making a dip in the middle, then bake on the lowest shelf for 55 mins-1 hr until crisp on the outside and dry underneath. Turn the oven off, leave the door ajar and leave the meringues to cool completely. Can be made a day ahead and kept in an airtight container.
• Whisk the crème fraîche in a bowl with the icing sugar and vanilla extract until thick and pillowy. Mix the pineapple and passion fruit together in a separate bowl. To assemble, spoon a quarter of the crème fraîche mixture onto each meringue, top with pineapple and passion fruit and drizzle with the passion fruit juice. Finish with mint leaves to serve, if you like.