At the V & A for lunch in April I spied these large meringues and couldn't resist buying one. But oh, the disappointment, they were very hard, no soft chewy centre, no softly crumbling outer crust and the jam and clotted cream that accompanied them was completely inadequate.
Ever since my disappointment I wanted to make my own - I finally made some yesterday. They were glorious, they had the soft and chewy almost marshmallow like centre, softly crumbling outer crust and just the right amount of sweetness. We had them this evening with strawberries. In fact, I could eat another right now.
The meringues were simplicity itself -
3 egg whites
180g golden caster sugar
pinch of salt
half teaspoon of white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon of cornflour
Oven preheated to 140C
Egg whites, salt and vinegar into a bowl - whisk (I used a hand held electric whisk - but you can use whatever you like, I don't have the patience for manually whisking and it seemed too small an amount to bother getting out the stand mixer). Once the egg whites were stiff I added the teaspoon of cornflour and gradually added the sugar a little at a time. Once all mixed in it was time to dollop great big spoonfuls of eggy mixture onto a baking tray (which I had previously lined with baking parchment). These were baked in the oven for an hour and a half, at which time I turned off the heat and left them in the cooling oven overnight.
I think they look fabulous this big - don't think I will ever make small meringues again.
This evening we had them with strawberries and cream. I cut up a 400g box of strawberries, some of which I cut smaller, placed in a small frying pan with a dessertspoonful of caster sugar. I heated these and mashed them with a fork and let them bubble for about five minutes.
Then began the assembly - one meringue, a large spoonful of fresh strawberries, two spoonfuls of the cooked strawberries poured over the meringue, a little sprinkling of icing sugar and finally a little cream.
So, I thought I would enter these into the Teatime Treats Challenge organised by Lavender and Lovage and What Kate Baked - this month's host.
The theme for this month's Teatime Treats Challenge is Summer Fruits.
Oh yes definitely a tea time treat! Can't say I have been much bothered cooking little meringues, they have always been too crunchy for my liking but oooooh these big ones - now that's a different story! And the strawberries - you have me hooked - now I am going to have to give them a go.
ReplyDeleteDen you must - they are really delicious, the meringue melts in your mouth. Oh dear, my mouth is watering again!
ReplyDeleteThey look divine - especially with the strawberries! I've seen the big pink cloudy looking ones in the window of Konditor & Cook but never bought one for fear they'd be a let down!
ReplyDeleteHannah, do make your own, they're so easy and so rewarding. You only need a little patience because they really need to be made the day before you want them but they are well worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteThese are superb, and I know Hannah should be able to make them. She made the beautiful meringues I received at the Christmas Swap.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made meringues for years, but you have certainly inspired me Jennifer, I think I'll have a go in France, when I have some time. (I'll be bookmarking this page!)
Will make some now ! I've been inspired. Xx
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