Kaffir Lime Meringue Cakes With Lime-Scented Papaya
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced (1/4 inch) papaya
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/4 teaspoon minced Thai chili
- Maldon sea salt
- 4 fresh kaffir lime leaves or the finely grated zest of 1 lime
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the kaffir lime leaves or lime zest in a bowl, and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Repeat until the leaves are curled and brittle or the zest is dry and crumbly.
- Finely chop the leaves, if using.
- Set aside a large pinch of chopped leaves or zest, then sift the remaining leaves or zest with the confectioners' sugar, pushing them through the sifter.
- In a mixer, whisk the egg whites on medium speed until they form soft peaks.
- Add the cream of tartar, then gradually add 1/2 cup of the sugar and continue whisking until the peaks are firm and glossy.
- By hand, fold in 1/4 teaspoon of the vanilla and the confectioners'-sugar mixture.
- Drop 6 grapefruit-size dollops of meringue onto the baking sheet.
- Create a well in the center of each mound.
- Press the remaining kaffir lime leaves (or lime zest) through a sifter to dust the meringue tops.
- Put the baking sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the heat.
- Leave for 4 hours.
- In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, whisk together 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup sugar, cream, egg yolks, salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat, and whisk in the butter.
- Cover and cool.
- Just before serving, mix the papaya, remaining lime juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest and chili.
- Place a meringue on each of 6 plates.
- Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons custard into the well of each meringue, and top with papaya.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of Maldon sea salt.
sugar, eggs, cream of tartar, sugar, vanilla, lime juice, heavy cream, salt, butter, papaya, lime zest, chili, salt, fresh kaffir lime
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/8535 (may not work)