Floating Islands
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 recipe of Caramel Sauce ( recipe follows)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- In a large nonreactive saucepan, combine 2 1/2 cups of the milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and the vanilla over medium heat and whisk to dissolve the sugar.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- With a wooden spoon, scoop 2 balls of the meringue into the simmering milk mixture.
- Poach the balls for 2 to 3 minutes, rolling them over with the spoon and basting them with the milk.
- When all sides are cooked (they are slightly firm to the touch), lift them out with a slotted spoon and set aside on a platter.
- Scoop 2 more balls from the remaining meringue and repeat the process..
- The meringues can be stored for about 1 hour, loosely covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup milk, the egg yolks, and cornstarch and whisk together.
- Slowly whisk 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture that the meringues were cooked in, into the egg mixture, then pour back into the warm milk mixture in the saucepan.
- Whisking constantly, bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, pour into a glass bowl, and let cool to room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap down against the surface of the custard to keep a skin from forming.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours.
- To serve, gently stir the custard and spoon equal amounts into four dessert bowls.
- Set a meringue ball on top of each and drizzle with the caramel sauce.
- In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring often.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a deep caramel color and has the consistency of a thick syrup, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the cream, return the saucepan to high heat, and boil the sauce until regains the consistency of a thick syrup, about 2 minutes.
- Let cool.
- The sauce can be refrigerated until ready to use.
- Allow it to reach room temperature before using it.
- Yields: about 3/4 cup
milk, sugar, vanilla, eggs, cornstarch, recipe of caramel sauce, sugar, water, heavy cream
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/floating-islands-recipe.html (may not work)