Raspberry Sorbet And Meringue Sandwiches

Serve "finger sandwiches" of airy meringue cookies and tart raspberry sorbet. Divide the egg white mixture into rectangles before baking, then spread with the sorbet and freeze for about four hours before slicing into triangles.

Ingredients:

• Meringues:
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 5 large egg whites 
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Filling:
• 1 quart raspberry sorbet, softened

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°.
2. To prepare meringues, cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw 2 (8 x 12-inch) rectangles on paper. Turn paper over, and secure with masking tape.
3. Combine first 3 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Place cream of tartar and egg whites in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add sugar mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (do not underbeat). Add vinegar and vanilla, and beat until combined. Divide egg white mixture evenly between drawn rectangles; spread the egg white mixture to the outside edges of each rectangle.
4. Bake at 250° for 2 hours or until dry. Turn oven off; partially open oven door. Cool meringues in oven 1 hour. Remove from oven. Carefully remove meringues from paper.
5. To prepare sandwiches, spread sorbet over flat side of 1 meringue; top with the remaining meringue, flat side down, pressing gently. Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic wrap; freeze 4 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut sandwich in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 6 (2 x 4-inch) pieces. Cut each piece in half diagonally to form 24 triangles.

Source: Katherine Cobbs, Cooking Light
JULY 2003

Coconut Meringue Cheesecake

Serve this tropical cheesecake to your coconut-loving friends. The meringue layer makes for an impressive presentation.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2  cups shredded coconut
• 1/4  cup finely chopped pecans
• 2   tablespoons butter, melted
• 2  8  ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/3  cup sugar
• 3   tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2   tablespoons milk
• 1   teaspoon vanilla
• 4   egg yolks
• 1/2  cup chopped pecans
• 4   egg whites
• 1   teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2  teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2  cup sugar
•  Large shards fresh coconut, toasted, or flaked coconut, toasted

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the bottom and side of an 8-inch spring form pan; set aside. Combine the 1-1/2 cups coconut and the 1/4 cup pecans; stir in melted butter. Press coconut mixture firmly onto bottom of pan (photo 1). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven.

 

Meanwhile for filling:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the 1/3 cup sugar, the cocoa powder, milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth, scraping side of bowl constantly. Beat in egg yolks just until combined (do not over beat). Pour into crust-lined pan. Place spring form pan in a shallow baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken. Remove from oven; sprinkle with the 1/2 cup pecans.

 

Meanwhile for meringue:

1. Thoroughly wash and dry beaters. In a large bowl, combine egg whites, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and the cream of tartar. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add the 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed about 5 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form (tips stand straight).

2. Spread meringue over hot cheesecake (photo 2), carefully sealing to edge of pan. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Return cheesecake to oven; bake for 30 minutes more.

3. Cool cheesecake in spring form pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Loosen and remove side of the spring form pan. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours before serving. Before serving, sprinkle with toasted coconut. Makes 12 servings.

 

Source: bhg