Nectarine Pavlovas
- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon superfine sugar
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 3 large nectarines, very thinly sliced
- make the meringues Preheat the oven to 250 and line 2 medium baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Position racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven.
- In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar at medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the superfine sugar and beat at high speed until the egg whites are stiff and glossy.
- In a small bowl, whisk the sifted confectioners sugar with the remaining 1 tablespoon of superfine sugar.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the sugar mixture into the meringue in 3 additions.
- make the meringues Spoon 3 rounded 1/2-cup mounds of meringue onto each baking sheet.
- Using the back of the spoon, form the meringue into 4-inch rounds with a well in the center.
- Place the meringues in the oven and immediately lower the temperature to 200.
- Bake for 2 hours, or until crisp on the outside but still a bit chewy in the center; rotate the sheets halfway through baking.
- Let cool completely.
- meanwhile, make the filling In a medium saucepan, heat the milk just until small bubbles appear around the edge.
- Add the tea bag, cover and let steep off the heat for 10 minutes, pressing the tea bag occasionally.
- Discard the tea bag.
- meanwhile, make the filling In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the egg with the granulated sugar and cornstarch.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk.
- Transfer the mixture to the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, whisking vigorously, until very thick, smooth and shiny, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Scrape the pastry cream into a bowl and let cool slightly.
- Whisk in the cubed butter until incorporated.
- Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream and refrigerate for about 2 hours, until chilled.
- meanwhile, make the filling Gently spread the pastry cream into the center of the meringues and arrange the nectarine slices on top in concentric circles, forming rosettes.
- Serve the Pavlovas right away.
egg whites, cream of tartar, sugar, confectioners sugar, milk, egg, granulated sugar, cornstarch, unsalted butter, nectarines
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/nectarine-pavlovas (may not work)