serves
6
prep
45 minutes
cook
30 minutes
difficulty
Mid
serves
6
people
preparation
45
minutes
cooking
30
minutes
difficulty
Mid
level
Ingredients
For the crème anglaise
- 4 free-range eggs, yolks only
- 80 g sugar
- 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out
- 500 ml milk
- ½ tsp ground long pepper or freshly ground black pepper
For the praline
- 75 g sugar
- 50 g slivered almonds
For the meringue islands
- 2 free-range eggs, whites only (60 g/2¼ oz)
- 45 g icing sugar, sifted if lumpy
- couple of drops of lemon juice
- pinch of salt
Resting time 4 hours
Instructions
To make the crème anglaise, mix the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl.
Place the vanilla pod and seeds in a pan with the milk and pepper and bring to a boil.
Remove the pod (you can rinse and dry it and use for vanilla sugar). Then pour a little of the hot milk onto the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously.
Gradually whisk in the rest of the milk, then pour the mix into a clean pan, set over a gentle heat and whisk constantly. Do not let the custard simmer at any point or it will split.
After five minutes it will begin to thicken slightly and become the consistency of single cream (it will thicken more when it cools down).
Transfer to a bowl and chill in the fridge for at least four hours.
Meanwhile, to make the praline, line a baking tray with baking paper.
Put the sugar and 25 ml/1 fl oz water into a large pan, heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then increase the heat to high.
When the mixture starts to bubble, add the almonds and continue to cook for five minutes, stirring continuously to prevent the almonds sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
Once the sugar and nuts have become a dark golden-brown caramel colour, pour onto the prepared tray and spread as thinly as possible with a palette knife (be quick as it sets fast). Set aside to cool.
To make the meringue islands, put half the egg whites into a clean glass or metal bowl.
Add the sugar, lemon juice and salt and whisk until snow white.
Add the rest of the egg whites and continue whisking until the meringue forms stiff peaks when the whisk is removed.
Gently drop six spoonfuls of meringue into a large pot of simmering water and simmer for a few minutes or until they are slightly puffed up and just set. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a sheet of baking paper until needed.
To assemble, pour a ladleful of crème anglaise into each of six glasses and gently place a meringue in the centre. Snap the praline into small pieces and sprinkle on top.
Note
• If you prefer you can cook the islands in the microwave. Spoon six small heaps onto a plate, leaving at least 2 cm between each one, and microwave on medium-high for 30–60 seconds.
Recipes from Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo (Michael Joseph, 2012). Text © 2012 by Rachel Khoo. Photography by David Loftus.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
