Floating Islands With Lemon Scented Custard Sauce And Raspberries Recipes

ALMOND FLOATING ISLANDS WITH CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• For the rum custard sauce
• Put the milk, cornstarch, and sugar in saucepan, and stir occasionally as you heat it. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a bowl. When the milk comes to a strong boil, pour it all at once into the yolks while beating continuously with a whisk. The quantity of boiling milk as compared with the quantity of egg yolk is such that the egg yolk will be cooked by the hot milk and not require further cooking. Strain the custard immediately through a fine strainer into a bowl, and stir in the cold cream. When lukewarm, add the vanilla and rum. Set aside until serving time.
• For the butter caramel:
• Put the sugar in a saucepan with 3 tablespoons of the water, and stir just enough to moisten the sugar. Place over medium heat, bring to a boil, and cook until the mixture turns caramel-colored (10 to 12 minutes). When caramelized, remove from the stove, add the butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons of water, and stir until well mixed. Divide the caramel among eight individual molds with a capacity of 1 to 1 1/2 cups each. Let the caramel cool, then butter lightly around the sides of the molds.
• For the meringue-nut mixture:
• Beat the egg whites until very firm. Sprinkle the sugar quickly on top while beating at high speed with the whisk, and continue beating for another 10 seconds. Fold in the chopped almonds.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spoon the meringue into a pastry bag without a tip, and squeeze it into the caramelized molds. Tap the molds on a potholder set on the table, so there are no air bubbles in the center of the meringue. Arrange the molds in a roasting pan surrounded by lukewarm tap water. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until well set in the center and puffy. Remove from the water, and let cool.
• When cool, the individual desserts can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

RASPBERRY FLOATING ISLAND

Steps:

• Make the raspberry puree: Place 1 half-pint raspberries in a small skillet over medium heat; add 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and raspberries start to break down, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Pass through a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing down to extract as much pulp as possible. Set puree aside to cool.
• In a high-sided 10-inch skillet, bring milk to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer while you make the meringue.
• Make the meringue: In the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer, combine remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar with egg whites and cream of tartar. Place over a pan of simmering water; whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Transfer bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing to high speed until glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix to combine. Transfer meringue to a large bowl, and spread out with a large spoon or spatula. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons raspberry puree on top; run a knife back and forth to streak.
• Make the floating islands: Using two soup spoons, scoop and slide about 1/4 cup of meringue into simmering milk. Do not overcrowd; you will need to make these in three batches. Poach until firm, about 2 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon, and transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat, skimming surface skin from milk between batches.
• Divide creme anglaise among six soup bowls. Place two meringue islands on top of each. Garnish with remaining half-pint raspberries, raspberry puree, and a dusting of confectioners' sugar.

FLOATING ISLANDS

Steps:

• Heat the milk and vanilla in a pan until steaming. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Continue whisking while you pour the hot milk over the egg yolks in a steady stream, until combined. Transfer back to the pan, and heat over a medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 mins. It shouldn't be custard thick, more of a thick double cream consistency. Transfer to a bowl, cover the surface with a scrunched piece of baking parchment and leave to cool. Once cool, chill until ready to serve.
• Put the egg white in a stand mixer. Whisk for 4-5 mins until you get soft peaks. With the motor still running, add the sugar 1 tbsp at a time, allowing it to be incorporated before adding the next. When all the sugar has been added, whisk for another 2-3 mins until stiff.
• Pour the milk and 200ml water into a wide pan or medium frying pan and heat until steaming, but not boiling. Add heaped teaspoons of the meringue mix into the milk, using another teaspoon to slide the meringue off the spoon, and gently poach for 3-4 mins (you don't need to move them around). Carefully turn the meringues over and cook the other side for 3-4 mins until set. Remove the meringues from the milk and leave to cool on a plate.
• To make the caramel, heat the sugar, 1 tbsp water and pinch of salt in a small pan and cook on a medium heat until you get a lightly golden caramel, about 10 mins. Keep warm for drizzling at the end.
• To serve, briefly stir, then spoon the custard into four ramekins or small bowls. Top each with a meringue and a drizzle of caramel.