Pavlova With Lemon Curd And Fresh Berries Recipes

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 225 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• For the meringues: Combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a very clean stand mixer bowl. Beat with the whisk attachment on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until thick and opaque, about 1 minute more. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and beat until stiff shiny peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Scoop the meringue with a 2-inch ice cream scoop and scrape off excess with the back of a knife to flatten. Scoop onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 1/2 inches between each. Use the back of a metal tablespoon to make a shallow well in the center of each mound that will hold the "yolk." Bake until the meringues are dry and crisp on the outside, about 2 hours. Let cool completely.
• For the curd: Simmer 1 inch of water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Combine the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice and zest in a medium metal bowl and whisk until smooth. Place the bowl on top of the saucepan (make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water) and whisk until the curd is thickened, light yellow and coats the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Remove the curd from the heat and use a silicone spatula to stir in the butter, one piece at a time, letting each addition melt before adding the next. Transfer to a clean container and press a sheet of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the curd. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 3 hours and up to 1 week.
• To serve, spoon 1 tablespoon of curd into the well of each meringue and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Prepare lemon curd filling: Cut butter into small pieces and set aside.
• Separate eggs, placing yolks in a heat-proof bowl and whites in glass, metal, or ceramic bowl. Cover egg whites and leave on the counter to come to room temperature for the meringue.
• Add lemon zest, salt, sugar, and lemon juice to egg yolks. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
• Add 1 to 2 inches water to a saucepan over low heat; bring to a simmer. Place bowl of filling over the simmering water. Cook, stirring constantly with a spatula, until mixture is very hot to the touch and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in butter, 3 or 4 pieces at a time, waiting until butter has melted before each addition. Remove from the heat and pour filling into a bowl to cool, about 15 minutes. Lay plastic wrap on top of the filling, pressing down so it doesn't develop a skin, and place in the refrigerator until well chilled, 2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner, such as Silpat®. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Begin meringue: Mix cornstarch into sugar and set aside.
• Add cream of tartar, lemon juice, and vanilla to the reserved egg whites. Whisk with a large whisk until very soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Whisk in sugar mixture, 2 tablespoons at a time, whisking about 1 minute between each addition, until incorporated. When all sugar mixture has been added, continue to whisk until relatively stiff peaks form and whites are firm enough to hold their shape.
• Use 2 spoons or a piping bag to transfer whites onto the prepared baking sheet, forming a ring of dollops about 8 or 9 inches across. Fill in the middle with meringue, then go back around the edges adding more meringue to build up the outside edge.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven for exactly 1 hour. At 1 hour, turn off the oven and crack the door. Let meringue sit in the oven until its cooled completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, prepare blueberry sauce: combine 1 cup blueberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until blueberries collapse and liquid thickens, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and pass through a fine mesh strainer. Place in the refrigerator until fully chilled, about 45 minutes.
• Very carefully transfer cooled meringue to a serving platter using 2 large spatulas if necessary; you may get some cracks but that's okay. Use a spoon to crack the center a bit to make room for the filling.
• Fill the center with chilled lemon curd filling. Place remaining blueberries over top and drizzle with blueberry sauce. Garnish with mint.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225°. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Beat egg whites at medium-high speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 1 minute; add cream of tartar and salt, beating until blended. Gradually add sugar mixture, 1 tablespoons at a time, beating at medium-high speed until mixture is glossy, stiff peaks form, and sugar dissolves. (Do not overbeat.) Beat in vanilla. Gently spread mixture into a 7-inch round on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, making an indentation in center of meringue to hold filling.
• Bake at 225° for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until pale golden and outside has formed a crust. Turn oven off; let meringue stand in oven, with door closed and light on, 12 hours.
• Meanwhile, whisk together lemon curd and sour cream until smooth. Cover and chill.
• Spoon lemon mixture into center of meringue, and top with fruit. (Center of meringue may fall once the lemon mixture and berries have been added.) Garnish with zest, if desired.