Pavlovas With Lemon Curd And Tropical Fruit Recipes

PAVLOVA WITH LEMON CURD AND BERRIES

Steps:

• Make meringue:
• Preheat oven to 300°F with rack in middle. Trace an approximately 7-inch circle on a sheet of parchment paper. Turn parchment over and put on a baking sheet.
• Whisk together superfine sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl.
• Beat whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Add water (whites will loosen) and beat until whites again hold soft peaks.
• Increase speed to medium-high and beat in sugar mixture 1 tablespoon at a time. After all sugar has been added, beat 1 minute more.
• Add vinegar and beat at high speed until meringue is glossy and holds stiff peaks, about 5 minutes (longer if using hand-held mixer).
• Gently spread meringue inside circle on parchment, making edge of meringue slightly higher than center (the "crater" is for curd and fruit). Bake until meringue is pale golden and has a crust, about 45 minutes (inside will still be marshmallow-like).
• Turn oven off and prop door open slightly with a wooden spoon. Cool meringue in oven 1 hour.
• Make Lemon curd while meringue bakes:
• Stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then add lemon juice and butter. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, whisking, then continue to simmer, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Lightly beat yolks in a small bowl and whisk in 1/4 cup lemon mixture, then whisk into remaining lemon mixture in saucepan. Reduce heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until curd is thickened, about 2 minutes (do not let boil). Transfer to a bowl and stir in zest. Chill, surface covered with parchment, until cool, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Assemble Pavlova:
• Beat heavy cream until it just holds stiff peaks, then fold 1/4 cup beaten cream into curd to lighten. Spoon lemon curd into meringue and mound berries on top. Serve remaining whipped cream on the side.

PAVLOVAS WITH LEMON CURD AND TROPICAL FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F/Gas 2). Beat the egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually, beating well after each addition, until thick and glossy with stiff peaks. stir in the vanilla.
• Line a tray with baking paper and spoon the mixture into six small nests on the tray. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven to 120oc (250oF/Gas 1/2) and bake for 10 minutes Turn off the oven and leave the pavlovas to cool in the oven with the door ajar.
• To make the lemon curd, put the lemon rind, lemon juice, sugar, eggs and butter in a heatproof bowl and whisk together.
• Place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl is not sitting in the water. Stir for about 15 minutes, or until the curd is thick - do not allow it to boil. Lat plastic wrap on the surface and leave to cool. Fold on the whipped cream all through the curd. Spoon into the pavlovas and top with banana, mango and passionfruit.