Pink Peppercorn Pavlova With Strawberries Vanilla Cream And Basil Syrup Food

CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Make the Pavlova: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until very foamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time (this should take about 3 minutes). Continue beating until stiff and shiny, about 3 more minutes.
• Sift the cocoa powder over the egg white mixture and sprinkle with the chopped chocolate; fold to combine. Spread the meringue into an 8-inch circle on the prepared baking sheet, making a shallow well in the center. Reduce the oven temperature to 225 degrees F; bake until firm and dry, about 2 hours. Turn off the oven and open the door slightly. Let the meringue cool in the oven, about 3 hours. Carefully remove from the parchment and transfer to a platter.
• Make the toppings: Beat the heavy cream, sour cream, vanilla and 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Toss the strawberries with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar. Top the Pavlova with the whipped cream and strawberries.

PINK PEPPERCORN PAVLOVA WITH STRAWBERRIES, VANILLA CREAM, AND BASIL SYRUP

Steps:

• For basil syrup:
• Blanch 1/3 cup basil leaves in small saucepan of boiling water 30 seconds. Drain, then transfer basil to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain; squeeze out excess water from basil. Puree basil with corn syrup in blender. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop. Bring basil syrup to room temperature, then strain through sieve into small bowl.
• For meringues:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 275°. Firmly trace six 21/2-inch circles on parchment paper, then invert onto baking sheet. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating to medium-firm peaks. Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in small bowl. Gradually beat sugar-cornstarch mixture into meringue; continue beating until very stiff. Beat in white wine vinegar. Fold in peppercorns. Divide meringue between circles; spread to fill completely. Bake until outside is dry, about 25 minutes. Turn oven off and open door just slightly. Let meringues cool in oven until completely dry, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
• For strawberry coulis:
• Puree berries and sugar in blender until smooth.
• For vanilla cream:
• Place cream and sugar in medium bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Using electric mixer, beat cream to soft peaks. do ahead Coulis and vanilla cream can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.
• Place small dollop of vanilla cream in center of each of 6 plates. Spoon circle of strawberry coulis around vanilla cream. Top each with 1 meringue. Spoon generous amount of vanilla cream atop meringues. Top with quartered strawberries and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle basil syrup over and serve.

STRAWBERRIES WITH PINK PEPPERCORN SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the sugar in a small pot with 1 tablespoon water. Stir to dissolve. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and simmer until a deep caramel color. Watch carefully because mixture can burn easily.
• Remove from heat, and carefully pour in the Cognac and vinegar. Put back on low heat and swirl mixture to dissolve caramel. Remove from heat and stir in the pomegranate juice or the molasses, the peppercorns and the diced strawberries, and cook over low heat for one minute. The sauce will be thick and syrupy.
• Cool, and carefully stir in remaining strawberries. Serve over vanilla ice cream, mascarpone or panna cotta.

STRAWBERRIES WITH PINK PEPPERCORN SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small pot place the sugar and water together and stir to dissolve. Over medium-high heat bring to a boil and simmer until sugar syrup is caramel color. Do not burn.
• Remove from heat. Pour in the Cognac and vinegar then put back on a low heat. Swirl to dissolve caramel. Remove from heat. Stir in the pomegranate juice or molasses, the peppercorns, and the one cup of diced strawberries. Return to the heat source and cook for one minute. Sauce sould be thick and syrupy.
• Cool to room temperature. Stir in remaining strawberries,
• Serve over vanilla ice cream, mascarpone, or panna cotta.

STRAWBERRY PAVLOVA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until glossy peaks form. Beat in vanilla.
• On foil-lined baking sheet, spread meringue into a 10-inch circle, pushing up edges to form a slight ridge.
• Bake in a 275-degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until firm to the touch. Turn off oven and leave meringue in oven to dry. Remove foil, and let cool. Place on serving platter.
• Slice the strawberries. Just before serving, spread whipped cream over meringue and cover with fruit. Cut into wedges.