Lime Curd Tartlets in Meringue Shells
- 4 large egg yolks plus 2 large whole eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- Finely grated zest of 2 limes plus 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- Swiss Meringue (recipe follows)
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- (makes 4 cups)
- Whisk together egg yolks and whole eggs.
- Combine with sugar and lime juice in small saucepan.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, 8 to 10 minutes, or until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir to cool slightly.
- Strain into a small bowl; add butter, a piece at a time, stirring until smooth.
- Stir in zest; let cool completely.
- Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 200F.
- With a pencil, trace sixteen 2-inch circles on parchment; place parchment, penciled side down, on a 12-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet.
- Fit pastry bag with a 5/16-inch plain tip (#12), and fill with meringue; pipe meringue, starting in center of each circle and spiraling out to circles edge.
- Create a 3/4 inch-tall wall of meringue peaks by piping along outside of circle using same tip to create smooth peaks, or change tips for a more decorative edge.
- Bake 20 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 150F, and bake until meringue is dry and crisp, but still white, 40 minutes to 1 hour more.
- Let cool completely on baking sheet.
- Shells can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks, as long as the weather is dry.
- Fill cooled meringue shells with chilled lime curd; serve immediately.
- Fill a medium saucepan one-fourth full with water, and bring to a simmer.
- Combine egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer, and place over (not in) saucepan.
- Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 3 1/2 minutes.
- (Test by rubbing between your fingers; it should feel smooth, not at all grainy.)
- With an electric mixer, beat mixture, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 10 minutes.
- Add vanilla, and mix until just combined.
- Use immediately.
egg yolks, sugar, lime juice, unsalted butter, swiss meringue, egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, vanilla
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/lime-curd-tartlets-in-meringue-shells-389748 (may not work)