Pistachio Chocolate Meringues Recipes

SALTED PISTACHIO MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the sugar so it's a perfectly even thickness on the paper right to the edge of the sugar, leaving a border on the paper so the sugar doesn't spill onto the pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges start to brown lightly. Watch carefully! Lower the oven to 250˚ F.
• Meanwhile, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Just before the sugar is ready, whisk the egg whites on high speed for 1 minute, until frothy. With the mixer on low, slowly add the hot sugar to the egg whites. (I use a large spoon at first, then pick up the paper and pour the sugar in slowly.) Add the vanilla and continue to whisk on high for 10 minutes, until the egg whites are room temperature. (The bowl may still be warm.) The meringue will be very thick and glossy.
• Using two large serving spoons, scoop 6 very large, messy oval dollops of meringue onto each of two sheet pans lined with parchment paper, spacing them out because they will expand while they bake. Sprinkle the pistachios on top and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (make sure your oven isn't above 250˚ F!), until the outsides of the meringues are crisp but not browned and the centers are still soft. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and set aside to cool.

MERINGUE "EGGS" WITH PISTACHIO CUSTARD AND CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Make pistachio cream: Finely grind pistachios with 1 cup superfine sugar in a food processor. Add 1/2 cup milk and puree to a thick paste and transfer to a bowl.
• Make "eggs": Whisk together 2 tablespoons superfine sugar and remaining milk in a deep skillet and bring to a bare simmer (milk should steam but not bubble). While milk is heating, beat egg whites in a mixer fitted with the whisk on high speed until they hold soft peaks. Gradually beat in remaining superfine sugar until meringue holds stiff peaks.
• Using a large oval-shaped spoon, form 8 meringue "eggs" gently dropping them as formed into the simmering milk mixture. Keep the milk at a low simmer. Poach the meringues until set on the bottom, about 2 minutes, then carefully turn over and poach until set throughout, about 2 minutes more. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plastic-wrap-lined baking pan and refrigerate until ready to serve. Repeat with remaining meringue to make 8 more eggs.
• Make custard: Whisk together the 8 yolks with the pistachio cream and almond extract. Slowly add 1 cup of poaching liquid to the yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Slowly whisk mixture into the poaching liquid. Cook custard over moderately low heat, stirring constantly until it's the thickness of heavy cream, about 180 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Do not overcook.
• Assemble dessert: Melt chocolate in a small metal bowl set over a small saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring constantly, until smooth or melt in microwave.
• Pour custard into 8 shallow bowls or rimmed plates and arrange meringues on top. Drizzle chocolate over meringues and custard.

CHOCOLATE MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and granulated sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until the egg whites are stiff and shiny and the sugar granules cannot be felt in the whites. Beat in the vanilla, reduce speed to low and add cocoa until combined. With a spatula put the egg white mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2-inch meringue "kisses" on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake in the middle of oven for 2 hours. Turn off oven and leave the meringues in it for at least 2 more hours or until meringues are completely dry.

CHOCOLATE-PISTACHIO MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven 250f, grease and flour 2 cookie sheets.
• In your blender or food processor combine pistachios and the chocolate,whirl until very finely chopped, reserve.
• Beat egg whites& cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time and beat until very stiff peaks are formed.
• Fold in the chocolate-nut mixture& vanilla.
• Using a tsp drop small mounds of meringue on the prepared cookie sheets leaving about 1" between.
• Bake 30 minutes or until the meringues are firm but not brown.
• Let stand several minutes on the cookie sheets, loosen carefully, transfer to wire rack.
• Store in a tightly covered container.

PISTACHIO MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil; butter and flour foil. Mix chopped pistachios and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Beat egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar, beating until whites are stiff but not dry. Fold nut mixture into egg whites. Drop meringue onto prepared sheets by rounded tablespoonfuls, spacing 1 inch apart and spreading to form 2 1/2-inch rounds.
• Bake meringues until dry and almost crisp but not yet colored, about 45 minutes. Cool meringues on baking sheets. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Wrap airtight in foil and freeze.)