Fresh Berry Meringue Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 110C/fan 90C/gas ¼. Tip the egg whites and lemon juice into the clean bowl of a food mixer. Whisk until the whites double in volume and hold a peak when the whisk is drawn through them. Keep the whisk running and add the sugar a tbsp at a time, incorporating completely before adding the next. Whisk until all the sugar has been added and the whites are glossy.
• Place a square of baking parchment on a large baking sheet. Pencil nine circles, about 7cm each, onto the parchment. Spoon the meringue into a large piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle and pipe concentric rounds to fit each drawn circle, piping two or more rings around the edge to form a nest. Bake for 2 hrs until they are crisp and lift off the paper easily. Leave to cool completely.
• Whisk the crème fraîche until stiff, then fold in the yogurt. Set 2 strawberries and 9 raspberries aside and roughly chop the rest. Tip the chopped berries, mint and ginger into a bowl. Sprinkle with a little icing sugar and use a wooden spoon to mash to a rough purée. Gently fold the berries into the yogurt mix, adding icing sugar to taste.
• To assemble, cut the remaining strawberries into 9 slices and place a slice inside each meringue case. Generously share the rippled cream between the cases, then top with a raspberry and a mint sprig. Dust with a little icing sugar just before serving. ( Meringues keep in an airtight container for 2 days.)

Steps:

• Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add cream of tartar and salt; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla., Drop meringue into two mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape into 3-1/2-in. cups with the back of a spoon. , Bake at 225° until set and dry, 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Remove to wire racks to cool. , In a small bowl, combine berries and, if desired, sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Combine sour cream and extract; spoon into meringue shells. Top with berries. ,

Steps:

• Toss the berries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Let stand until juices form, tossing occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir the mascarpone cheese in a large bowl to loosen. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, and pinch of cinnamon in another large bowl to soft peaks. Fold 1/4 of the cream into the mascarpone cheese to lighten. Fold in the remaining whipped cream.
• Using a slotted spoon, divide the berries among plates. Spoon the mascarpone cheese atop the berries. Sprinkle the meringue cookies over top. Drizzle the berry juices around the dessert and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Mix the berries together in a bowl and toss gently with two tablespoons of the amaretto. Refrigerate.
• Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
• Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat just until they become frothy.
• Cook the sugar and water mixture until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture registers 237 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage). Remove from the heat.
• Beat the egg whites until they are softly peaked, then begin to drizzle in the sugar syrup in a thin stream, beating constantly. Continue beating until the egg whites are stiff and glossy. Fold in the remaining amaretto. Cover and refrigerate up to an hour, until just before serving time.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Fold the berries into the meringue and spread the mixture in a gratin dish or a shallow baking dish. Place in the oven and bake about 10 minutes, until the meringue is puffy and lightly browned. Serve at once, garnished with whole strawberries.

Steps:

• 1. Line a large colander with several layers of cheesecloth.
• 2. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt with the sugar.
• 3. In a separate bowl, beat the cream and the vanilla essence until stiff. Fold the cream into the yogurt.
• 4. In a large bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff but not dry. With a spatula, carefully fold in the yogurt mixture and the orange rind.
• 5. Transfer the mousse mixture to the prepared colander and place over a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to drain for at least 4 hours.
• 6. When ready to serve, place one meringue on each of the 10 dessert plates. Top with some mousse and a few berries. Top each with a second meringue.
• 7. Drizzle some strawberry coulis around each meringue and garnish with a few berries and a sprig of mint.