Pomegranate Meringue Swirls Food

MERINGUE SWIRLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Combine egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Add vanilla bean seeds. Set bowl over a pot of simmering water, and stir until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm, about 3 minutes. Add salt and cream of tartar.
• Beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form and meringue is mostly cooled, about 7 minutes. Beat in zest.
• Using a small paintbrush, paint 3 vertical stripes of food coloring inside a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip (Ateco #805). Fill bag with meringue, and pipe 1 3/4-inch circular shapes (they don't need to be perfect rounds) 2 inches apart on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. As you finish piping each shape, apply less pressure to pastry bag, and swirl the tip off in a circular motion.
• Bake meringues until crisp on the outside but still soft inside, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

MERINGUE SWIRLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the egg whites and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until frothy (use the whisk attachment if using a stand mixer). Add the cream of tartar; increase the speed to medium high and add the superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the meringue (or add the extract) and continue beating until the sugar is dissolved and the meringue is thick, glossy and forms stiff peaks, about 6 minutes.
• Fit a piping bag with a large star tip. Fill the bag with the meringue and pipe spirals on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
• Bake 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let the meringues stand in the oven until dry, about 2 hours. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

CAPPUCCINO SWIRL MERINGUES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Fit a large pastry bag or large resealable plastic bag with a star tip.
• Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 more minute. Gradually add the sugar and beat until stiff shiny peaks form. Beat in 3/4 teaspoon vanilla. Transfer half of the meringue to a separate bowl; beat the espresso powder and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla into the remaining meringue.
• Holding the pastry bag in your hand, use a rubber spatula to spread the plain meringue on one side of the bag, filling the bag only half full. Turn the bag around and spread the coffee meringue on the other half of the bag. Twist the end of the bag so the 2 colors squish together. Pipe 1 1/2-inch meringues on the baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Decorate with sprinkles.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the meringues are firm, about 2 hours. Turn off the oven and leave the meringues inside until dry and crisp, about 1 more hour.

SEVILLE MERINGUE PIE WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Using a little flour to dust the surface, roll out the pastry to the thickness ofa£1coin and use to line a 20cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Leave the excess overhanging and prick the base with a fork. Chill for 30 mins until firm. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the tart tin on a baking sheet, then line the pastry with foil and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins or until the pastry is firm and dry, then remove the beans and foil. Bake for 20 mins more or until the pastry is golden brown and biscuity. Leave to cool.
• Pour the milk into a pan and bring to a simmer. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornflour, sugar, orange zest, juice and marmalade. Pour the warm milk into the bowl, whisking constantly. Put the mixture in a clean pan and cook over a low heat, stirring all the time, until simmering and thickened. The custard might look a bit lumpy at first, but keep stirring and it will come together. Take off the heat and beat in the butter, followed by the egg yolks.
• For the meringue, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks in a large bowl. Add the sugar in four additions, whisking back to stiff peaks after each, to make a thick meringue. Whisk in the cornflour.
• Trim the edges of the pastry case with a small serrated knife. Warm the orange filling until it bubbles, stirring occasionally. Spoon the filling into the case and smooth the top. Carefully spoon the meringue on top of the hot filling, starting at the edge and working towards the middle to prevent the meringue from sinking. Gently swirl the meringue down to meet the pastry all around the edge of the tart.
• Bake for 15-20 mins or until the meringue is pale golden brown. Cool for at least 1 hr, then remove from the tin and serve scattered with the pomegranate seeds.