Vanilla Pavlova With Pineapple Passion Fruit 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.

MARTHA'S PAVLOVA WITH PASSION FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Draw four 4-inch circles or one 8-inch circle onto a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer parchment, traced side down, to a baking sheet.
• Whisk egg whites and a pinch of salt with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. With machine running, add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Sprinkle in vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla; whisk until just combined.
• With a rubber spatula, mound meringue onto parchment in center of circle or circles. Evenly spread meringue toward edges. Transfer to oven, and immediately reduce temperature to 200 degrees. Bake until meringue lifts off parchment easily, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Turn off oven. Let meringue cool completely in oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Once meringue is cool and completely dry, scoop out passion fruit over tops. Garnish with whipped cream. Serve immediately.

BROWN SUGAR PAVLOVA WITH FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and line two large baking trays with baking parchment. Using a 900g loaf tin as a template, trace two rectangles onto the parchment. Turn it over. Sift both the sugars into a large bowl (use a spoon to push it through). Whip the egg whites on low speed in a stand mixer or with an electric whisk until small bubbles form. Turn the speed up to medium and whisk to stiff peaks. Add the sugar mix, 1 tbsp at a time, whisking between each addition until all the sugar has been added. Drop in the vanilla. Whisk for 3-4 mins more until the meringue is smooth (not grainy) - test it between your fingertips.
• Spoon the meringue into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle, and pipe it over the parchment using the templates so you have two meringue rectangles. Use a skewer to create more swirls, if you like. Bake for 50 mins-1 hr until crisp, then turn off the oven. Leave to cool inside.
• To decorate, whisk the cream, icing sugar and vanilla extract to soft peaks using an electric whisk. Place one meringue on a serving board, then pipe or spoon over half the cream. Layer over half the fruit, top with the second meringue, then the rest of the cream and the remaining fruit. Best eaten on the day it's made, but will keep chilled for up to two days.