Dracula Meets Anna Pavlova Recipes

PASSION FRUIT PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275˚ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a plate or cake pan as a guide, trace a 9-inch circle on the parchment with a pencil, then flip over the parchment on the baking sheet (the circle should still be visible); set aside.
• Make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites, 1/4 teaspoon vinegar and the salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Gradually beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dissolved. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cornstarch, vanilla and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and beat until just combined, 10 to 15 seconds.
• Spread the meringue into a 9-inch round on the prepared baking sheet (use the pencil marking as a guide) and make a shallow well in the center. Transfer to the oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 225˚. Bake until crisp and dry, about 2 1/2 hours. (The meringue should still be white or a very pale cream color.) Turn off the oven and open the door slightly (use the handle of a wooden spoon to prop it open about 1/2 inch). Let the meringue cool completely in the oven, about 1 1/2 hours. Carefully remove the meringue from the parchment and transfer to a platter.
• Make the whipped cream: Beat the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes.
• Just before serving, top the meringue: Gently stir the passion fruit pulp to loosen. Top the meringue with the whipped cream and passion fruit. Serve immediately.

LEMON PAVLOVAS WITH BERRIES

Steps:

• Pavlovas: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until thick, about 2 minutes. With the machine on medium-high speed, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the salt, cream of tartar and lemon zest. Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drop 8 (1/2) cupfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Using the back of a spoon make a 1 1/2-inch diameter well in the center of each meringue. Bake for 2 hours. Turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool completely in the oven for 2 hours. Store airtight in a plastic container for up to 1 week.
• Berries: In a small bowl, toss together the berries, sugar and lemon juice. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Cream: In a small bowl, mix together the cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
• Assembly: Put the meringues on small plates and spoon a dollop of the mascarpone cream into the wells. Top with the berries and serve.
• Cook's Note: If using blueberries, gently mash them with a fork before mixing with the sugar and lemon juice.
• Cook's Note: The meringue mixture can also be placed in a pastry bag fitted with a large, plain tip (recommended: Ateco # 9808) and piped onto the baking sheet.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a clean, dry bowl until foamy. Add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff, smooth and glossy, about 8 minutes more. On a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit a sheet pan, use a pencil to draw or trace a circle 9-inches in diameter. Line the sheet pan with the parchment, pencil side down (you should still be able to see the circle). Spoon the egg whites into the circle, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top and sides of the disk. Bake in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake until the meringue has puffed up and cracked on the top and the surface is lightly browned to the color of cafe au lait, about 45 minutes more. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and let the pavlova cool in the oven at least 30 minutes, to room temperature. This ensures a gradual cooling, which protects the delicate meringue.
• Whip the cream and brown sugar together until stiff. Spoon it in the center of the cooled pavlova and spread out to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Arrange the slices of kiwi around the edge. Arrange the slices of strawberry in the middle. To serve, slice into wedges with a serrated knife.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 225 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 9-inch circle on the paper, then flip it over so the drawing is on the underside.
• For the meringue, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in the very clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 minute more. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 minutes more.
• Spread the meringue on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to stay within the drawn 9-inch circle. Create some shallow dips and swoops (this will hold the whipped cream and berries). Bake until the meringue is dry and crisp on the outside, about 2 hours. Turn off the heat and let the pavlova sit in the warm oven to dry out more, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. (The meringue can be made up to several hours in advance.)
• Meanwhile, make the whipped cream by whisking together the heavy cream and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Toss the berries and raspberry jam in a medium bowl until evenly coated and glossy. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• To serve, dollop the whipped cream on top of the meringue and spread into an even layer. Pile the macerated berries on top (drizzle any berry juice on top as well). Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. With a marker, mark a 7-inch circle on a piece of parchment paper. Flip the parchment over and place on a baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg whites with a pinch of salt and beat with the whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Add 3 tablespoons water and keep beating until you get soft peaks again.
• Increase the mixer speed to high. Add the sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time and continue to beat for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and beat until the meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes.
• Spread the meringue inside the marked circle on the parchment, making the edges slightly higher than the inside of the circle (it should look like a "crater"). Bake until the meringue is pale golden and has a crust, about 45 minutes; the inside should still be marshmallow-like. Turn off the oven, prop the door open and let the meringue dry for 1 hour.
• To serve, place the Pavlova on a serving dish. Spread the inside of the crater with a thin layer of lemon curd. Top with berries and serve.

PAVLOVA WITH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Macerate the fruit: Combine the brown sugar, raspberry jam, vanilla extract, cinnamon, allspice and lemon zest and juice in a medium bowl. Add the raspberries and gentle toss to combine all of the flavors. Cover and refrigerate.
• Get the oven ready for the meringue: Remove all racks from the oven except for the one closest to the top. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and coat with nonstick spray for good measure.
• Make the meringue mixture: Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed until the egg whites hold their shape and the whisk leaves a trace in the eggs whites, 2 to 5 minutes. Thoroughly mix the granulated sugar with the cornstarch in a medium bowl. Increase the mixer speed to medium and gradually add the sugar mixture, tablespoon by tablespoon, waiting until each spoonful is incorporated before adding more. Continue to whisk until the meringue is firm and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon the meringue mixture into a pastry bag or the corner of a resealable plastic bag and cut 1/2 inch off one corner. Pipe the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet into a 6-inch round.
• Bake the meringue: Bake, undisturbed, for about 25 minutes. Rotate the tray and continue to bake until the exterior is firm and crusty when touched (ever so gently!), about 5 minutes more. While the center should still be moist and somewhat goopy, the exterior should be lightly golden brown on the exterior. Cool for about 10 minutes.
• Make the cream and prepare the fruit: Whisk the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until somewhat stiff, about 3 minutes. Spoon the fruit on the bottom of a serving platter and gently place the meringue on top. Serve with whipped cream on the side.