Pavlova Roulade Served With Toffee Plums Food

PAVLOVA WITH WINTER FRUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Invert a small bowl onto the parchment paper and trace the rim with a pencil. Repeat twice more. Flip parchment paper over.
• Beat egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks begin to form. Gradually add white sugar, with the mixer running. Whisk superfine sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Gradually beat into the meringue. Continue beating meringue until stiff, glossy peaks form. Beat in orange blossom water and vinegar.
• Spoon meringue into the traced circles. Make the borders higher than the center, to leave room for the filling.
• Bake meringues in the preheated oven until firm and dry to the touch, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the lemon curd. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring to a bare simmer.
• Whisk lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, egg yolks, and salt together in a glass bowl. Set the bowl over the simmering water. Cook, whisking constantly, until curd foams, then thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove the bowl from the simmering water. Gradually whisk in coconut oil until melted and incorporated.
• Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids left in the strainer. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Transfer to the refrigerator.
• Turn off oven and keep meringues inside until completely dry, about 1 hour.
• Combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and orange blossom water in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
• Spoon lemon curd into the center of the cooled meringues. Mound whipped cream over the curd. Arrange grapefruit, orange, and persimmon slices on top. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the top.

PAVLOVA ROULADE, SERVED WITH TOFFEE PLUMS

Steps:

• To make the toffee plums, place all ingredients, except plums, in a saucepan with 1 litre water.
• Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add plums, and cook for 10-15 minutes, or, until they are just tender (this will depend on their ripeness).
• Set aside to cool, in the poaching liquid.
• Plums will keep up to 4 days in the fridge.
• Pre heat the oven to 160 degrees C.
• Grease and line a 2cm-deepX37cm baking tray.
• Beat egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer, until stiff peaks form.
• Add sugar in a slow, steady stream, and continue to beat for about 5 minutes, or until thick and glossy.
• Gently fold in Vanilla, Vinegar and Cornflour.
• Spread meringue into pan and flatten gently with a spatula.
• Bake for 20 minutes then allow to cool in the pan.
• Whip the cream with the icing sugar until thick.
• Turn meringue onto a piece of baking paper, dusted with icing sugar, and spread with the sweetened cream.
• Drain plums, reserving liquid, and remove the stones.
• Chop 6 plums, then spread on top of the cream.
• Starting from the short end, gently roll the Roulade away from you, using the paper to keep it in shape.
• Wrap the whole Roulade in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
• Just before serving, place the plum poaching liquid in a pan over medium heat, and reduce until almost toffee-like in consistency.
• Cool slightly.
• Place thick slice of Roulade on each plate, with 2 or 3 plums, then drizzle with sauce.