Meringue Torte with Figs, Turkish Delight and Pistachios (gf)
Light and chewy with nuggets of dark chocolate, fig and Turkish delight, this dessert is absolutely fabulous.
6 large egg whites
200 grams caster sugar
150 grams ground almonds
1 tablespoon cornflour
100 grams soft dried figs, finely chopped
100 grams Turkish delight, finely chopped
50 grams dark chocolate, 72% cocoa, roughly chopped
50 grams pistachios, roughly chopped
TO SERVE
200ml cream, softly whipped with 1 teaspoon rosewater
extra pistachios and edible flowers for garnishing
EQUIPMENT: Grease a 24cm springform cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper.
Preheat the oven to 170°C regular bake.
Beat the egg whites to soft peaks, then gradually beat in the sugar until glossy and smooth.
Combine all the remaining ingredients in a bowl, tossing them together so the figs and Turkish delight are separated and not clumped together.
Using a large metal spoon, fold into the meringue until combined. Tip into the tin and smooth the top.
Bake for 20 minutes, then loosely cover the top with foil to prevent overbrowning. Bake for a further 40 minutes.
Leave the torte in the tin until completely cool or overnight. The centre will collapse a little on cooling.
TO SERVE: Carefully remove the torte from the tin and place on a serving plate. Spread the cream over the top and scatter with pistachios and flowers. SERVES 8-10
Trifle with Lemon Cream, Raspberries and Meringues
This isn’t really a trifle – it’s better! I’m not a lover of sweet jelly but I have a soft spot for raspberries, cream and meringues and am always looking for ways to reinvent them.
BUTTER SPONGE
200 grams plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt 125 grams butter, softened
250 grams caster sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
½ cup milk, warmed slightly (it should just feel warm to your little finger)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
TO ASSEMBLE
3 punnets fresh raspberries1 tablespoon icing sugar100ml limoncello, optional300ml cream, lightly whipped2 cups lemon curdpurchased mini meringuesedible fresh flowersfreeze-dried raspberry powder
