Raspberry Pink Peppercorn Meringues Food

RASPBERRY-RIPPLE MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Trace an 8-inch circle onto a piece of parchment paper. Turn over paper and place on a baking sheet. In a food processor, puree half the raspberries, 1 teaspoon sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. With a rubber spatula, press mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Discard solids and set sauce aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream of tartar, egg whites, and pinch of salt on high until foamy. Reduce speed to low and add sugar mixture in 3 additions, beating on high 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape down bowl and beat on high until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add 2 tablespoons raspberry sauce to meringue, but do not stir. With rubber spatula, mound meringue (it will ripple as you scoop) onto prepared parchment on sheet, using circle as a guide.
• Bake meringue until crisp and dry on outside, about 1 hour 50 minutes. Turn off heat and let meringue dry in oven, 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely on sheet on a wire rack. To serve, gently peel meringue from parchment and transfer to a platter. Top with whipped cream and remaining raspberry sauce and raspberries.

RASPBERRY & PINK PEPPERCORN MERINGUES

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add cream of tartar and salt; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Beat in extract and food coloring if desired., Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a large star tip. Fill bag with egg white mixture. Pipe 1-1/4-in.-diameter cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 300° for 20-25 minutes or until set and dry. (Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour.) Remove to wire racks., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies; sprinkle with peppercorns. Store in an airtight container.

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.