Recipes, re-invented from cooking shows
Pina Colada Meringue Nests
Prep. Time:
Baking Time:
Total Time:
2 hours
3 hours
5 hours
Serves:
8 individual nests
Illyin's tropical dessert masterpiece transforms the classic pina colada cocktail into an elegant meringue-based creation. The improved technique addresses cracking issues with vinegar and cornstarch while maintaining Prue's amazed coconut flavor and Paul's praised "delicious sharp" pineapple curd. Multiple textures create a vacation-worthy dessert that truly tastes "like having a pina colada" in sophisticated dessert form.
Ingredients
FOR THE COCONUT MERINGUE NESTS:
4 large egg whites, room temperature
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1/3 cup desiccated coconut, finely chopped
1 teaspoon white vinegar (prevents cracking)
1 teaspoon cornstarch (prevents cracking)
FOR THE SHARP PINEAPPLE CURD:
1 cup fresh pineapple juice
1/4 cup pineapple, finely diced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons lime juice
Pinch of salt
FOR THE RUM CREAM:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons non-alcoholic rum extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR THE LIME GEL:
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
Green food coloring (optional)
FOR THE RUM CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE:
1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons non-alcoholic rum extract
1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
MAKE THE IMPROVED COCONUT MERINGUE:
1. Preventing cracks: Preheat oven to 200°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Prue's amazed technique: Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
3. Gradual sugar: Add superfine sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well between additions.
4. Glossy peaks: Continue until meringue is thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks.
5. Flavor enhancement: Beat in vanilla and coconut extracts.
6. Crack prevention: Gently fold in vinegar and cornstarch.
7. Illyin's innovation: Fold in desiccated coconut for "really nice kind of crunch."
SHAPE THE NESTS:
8. Neater technique: Using large spoon or piping bag, create 4-inch circles on parchment.
9. Nest formation: Build up sides by spooning or piping meringue around edges.
10. Even shaping: Ensure walls are uniform thickness to prevent uneven cracking.
11. Professional appearance: Smooth surfaces with offset spatula for neater look.
PROPER MERINGUE BAKING:
12. Slow cooking: Bake 2.5-3 hours until crisp and dry throughout.
13. Preventing cracks: Don't open oven door during first 2 hours.
14. Gradual cooling: Turn off oven, prop door slightly open, cool completely inside.
15. Storage: Once cool, store in airtight container until assembly.
PREPARE THE SHARP PINEAPPLE CURD:
16. Paul's "delicious sharp": In saucepan, combine pineapple juice, diced pineapple, and sugar.
17. Reduction: Simmer 10 minutes to concentrate flavor and reduce liquid.
18. Smooth base: In bowl, whisk egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth.
19. Tempering: Slowly add hot pineapple mixture to eggs, whisking constantly.
20. Final cooking: Return to saucepan, cook over medium heat until thick.
21. Sharp finish: Stir in butter, lime juice, and salt. Cool completely.
CREATE THE LIME GEL:
22. Gel preparation: Sprinkle gelatin over cold water, let bloom 5 minutes.
23. Heat mixture: Warm lime juice and sugar until sugar dissolves.
24. Gelatin incorporation: Stir in bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
25. Setting: Add food coloring if desired, refrigerate until set but still soft.
MAKE RUM CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE:
26. Caramelization: In skillet, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat.
27. Fruit cooking: Add diced pineapple, cook 8-10 minutes until caramelized.
28. Rum enhancement: Add rum extract and lime juice, cook 2 minutes more.
29. Cooling: Cool completely before assembly.
PREPARE THE RUM CREAM:
30. Light texture: Whip cream with powdered sugar to soft peaks.
31. Flavor addition: Beat in rum extract and vanilla until combined.
32. Consistency: Should hold shape but remain light and airy.
ASSEMBLY:
33. Careful handling: Place meringue nests on serving plates.
34. Layer building: Fill each nest with pineapple curd as base.
35. Texture contrast: Add dollop of rum cream over curd.
36. Fresh element: Top with caramelized pineapple pieces.
37. Final touch: Add small quenelle of lime gel for color and tartness.
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