Cashew Meringues with Chocolate Basil Mousse

• 1/2 cup egg whites (about 4 large)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 ounces toasted cashews, finely chopped (about 1/4 tablespoon)
• 2 ounces (or more, as needed) bittersweet chocolate, melted, for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 ounce (about 1/2 bunch) fresh basil
• 3 egg yolks plus 2 whole eggs
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Frangelico, or other hazelnut liqueur
• 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• Cashew Meringues

1. Preheat the oven to 250F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk, whip the egg whites at medium-high speed with the sugar and salt, until firm.
4. With a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped cashews.
5. Spoon the batter into a pastry bag with a 1/2-inch plain tip and pipe it into 4-inch circles on the parchment.
6. You should get 12 meringues.
7. Bake for about 1 hour, or until the meringues are dry but not too brown.
8. Cool them completely before peeling off the parchment.
9. To finish, drizzle the cooled meringues with the melted chocolate (you can do this with a fork or a squeeze bottle).
10. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a small saucepan or microwave-proof bowl; set aside to cool.
11. Using an electric mixer or wire whisk, whip 1/2 cup of the cream to soft peaks; refrigerate.
12. Combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cream and the basil in another small saucepan placed over medium heat, and heat until you can smell the aroma of the basil, about 10 minutes.
13. Cool the cream completely and strain.
14. Use a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment to whip the egg yolks, whole eggs, sugar, and Frangelico to the ribbon stage, then add the gelatin.
15. Slowly whip in the cooled chocolate, scraping the sides of the bowl often.
16. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the whipped cream and then the basil cream until just mixed.
17. Chill to set.
18. When you are ready to serve the meringues, pipe or dollop the mousse onto the smooth surface of a meringue round, and top with another, smooth side down.
19. Serve immediately.

egg whites, sugar, salt, cashews, bittersweet chocolate, unsalted butter, bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, fresh basil, egg yolks, sugar, frangelico, unflavored gelatin, meringues

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cashew-meringues-with-chocolate-basil-mousse-383582 (may not work)