JUST FOR YOU - meringues with strawberries and cream
This cute little dessert is easy to whip up and looks adorable.
It could also add a little more love to your already special night.
Make an extra special effort this valentines, it will say a lot x
Preparation time - 30 minutes
Cooking time - 30 minutes, plus cooling
Skill - moderate
Serves 6
Ingredients
120g (3) egg whites
250g sugar
Pink food colouring (or any colour)
Filling
150g fresh strawberries, hulled
200g mascarpone
100ml cream
1-2 Tbsp icing sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Method
Preheat the oven 100C
Begin by making the meringues.
Make sure your bowl is very clean before adding the egg whites.
Add the sugar and place over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water.
Stirring the whites frequently. The mix will loosen and the sugar will dissolve. I test a little of the mixture between my fingers to feel if the sugar has dissolved. You also do not want the mixture getting too warm!
Place the mixture into the bowl of your electric mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium - high speed until the whites are silky and stiff.
Add a drop of food colouring and stir well to combine.
Line a baking tray with baking paper, dab a little mix on each corner of the tray to stick the paper.
Draw 12 circles about 5cm in diameter across the baking paper, allowing plenty of space between each.
Either pipe or spoon the meringue onto the paper and spread to make a neat disc shape.
Bake for 30 minutes, turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool and go crisp. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.
These can be made days in advance if stored in an airtight container.
To make the filling.
Mash the strawberries to a chunky pulp.
Mix the mascarpone with the cream, icing sugar and vanilla, beat well to thicken.
Add the strawberries and stir through.
Pipe or spoon enough filling onto 6 meringue discs. Place the remaining discs on top to sandwich together.
Once the meringues are filled you are best to eat them sooner rather than later as the meringue softens.
