Syrupy Plums With Pistachio Meringues Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spread the sugar so it's a perfectly even thickness on the paper right to the edge of the sugar, leaving a border on the paper so the sugar doesn't spill onto the pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges start to brown lightly. Watch carefully! Lower the oven to 250˚ F.
• Meanwhile, place the egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Just before the sugar is ready, whisk the egg whites on high speed for 1 minute, until frothy. With the mixer on low, slowly add the hot sugar to the egg whites. (I use a large spoon at first, then pick up the paper and pour the sugar in slowly.) Add the vanilla and continue to whisk on high for 10 minutes, until the egg whites are room temperature. (The bowl may still be warm.) The meringue will be very thick and glossy.
• Using two large serving spoons, scoop 6 very large, messy oval dollops of meringue onto each of two sheet pans lined with parchment paper, spacing them out because they will expand while they bake. Sprinkle the pistachios on top and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (make sure your oven isn't above 250˚ F!), until the outsides of the meringues are crisp but not browned and the centers are still soft. Sprinkle with the fleur de sel and set aside to cool.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil; butter and flour foil. Mix chopped pistachios and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Beat egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar, beating until whites are stiff but not dry. Fold nut mixture into egg whites. Drop meringue onto prepared sheets by rounded tablespoonfuls, spacing 1 inch apart and spreading to form 2 1/2-inch rounds.
• Bake meringues until dry and almost crisp but not yet colored, about 45 minutes. Cool meringues on baking sheets. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Wrap airtight in foil and freeze.)

Steps:

• Using a small knife, remove the pits from plums without cutting plums entirely in half. Place plums in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring stock syrup and bay leaves to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Immediately pour syrup over plums and let cool completely.
• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. With the mixer on low, slowly add superfine sugar; increase speed and continue whisking until firm peaks form. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until meringue is smooth and shiny and stiff peaks form, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Drain plums and pat dry with paper towels, removing as much syrup as possible. Gently fold plums into meringue mixture.
• Using two large spoons, scoop one-quarter of the meringue mixture and pass it between both spoons to form a rounded oval shape; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining meringue. Transfer to oven and bake for 2 hours.
• Cool meringues slightly on baking sheet; carefully transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely in a dry place before serving.