Peaches Under Meringue Recipes

PEACHES UNDER MERINGUE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Put peaches, cut side up, on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar (total). Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until tops begin to brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Beat egg white with a pinch of salt in a deep bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 3 tablespoon sugar, beating until white holds stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in sesame candy.
• Place a dollop of meringue on each peach half and broil 30 seconds. Turn off broiler and leave peaches in oven just until tips of meringue are browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute (watch carefully).

PAMELA'S PEACHY MERINGUE TART

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Draw a 9-inch circle on a piece of wax or parchment paper with a pencil. Place the paper pencil-side down on a baking sheet. Butter and sugar the paper.
• Beat egg whites until foamy in a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Gradually add the white sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites should form a sharp peak that holds its shape. Fold in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar by gently running the spatula through the center of the bowl, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated.
• Transfer the egg white mixture to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch tip. Pipe a 1/4-inch thick disk inside the circle on the paper. Smooth the meringue with a knife, then pipe another layer along the outside edge of the disk to create a wall.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the meringue is completely dry, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the meringue shell to a large plate.
• Drain the cut peaches over a strainer set over bowl to collect the peach juice. Sprinkle the peach juice with cinnamon. Transfer the peaches to another bowl.
• Beat heavy cream until foamy in a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the whipped cream should form a sharp peak that holds its shape. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream onto the meringue shell. Spoon the peach chunks over the whipped cream, then drizzle the peach juice on top. Garnish with more whipped cream. Serve immediately.

PEACH MELBA PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 120C/100C fan/gas ½. Line a large, flat baking sheet with baking parchment. Tip egg whites into a large bowl. Sift together the sugars. Blend the cornflour, vanilla and vinegar to a paste.
• Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then whisk in the sugars, 2-3 tbsp at a time, alternating with the paste. Continue whisking until the meringue is thick and marshmallow-like.
• Spoon the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet and spread to a 22cm round. Use the back of a metal spoon to make a shallow dip in the centre for the filling. Bake the meringue for 1½ hrs, then turn off the heat and leave it in the oven to cool. Transfer to a flat serving plate.
• Put half the raspberries in a pan with the sugar and 2 tbsp water. Bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then cook for a few mins until the raspberries are soft and pulpy. Tip into a food processor with the remaining raspberries and whizz to a purée. Press through a sieve into a bowl to remove the pips. Cool.
• Halve and stone the peaches, then cut each half into 4-5 slices. Whip the cream until stiff. Drizzle over half the raspberry sauce and fold in gently with a large metal spoon to make a ripple effect. Carefully spoon the cream into the centre of the meringue. Pile the peaches on top and scatter with the remaining raspberries. Drizzle with the remaining sauce and dust lightly with icing sugar. Serve without delay.