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Recipes

Pink Peppercorn Pavlova with Strawberries, Vanilla Cream, and Basil Syrup

By Cafe Paradiso

5.0

(1)

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Servings

Ingredients

Basil syrup

1

/3 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves

1

/2 cup light corn syrup

Meringues

4

large egg whites, room temperature

1

cup sugar, divided

1

1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

1

/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1

tablespoon pink peppercorns, lightly crushed

Strawberry coulis

1

(1-pint) basket strawberries, hulled

2

tablespoons sugar

Vanilla cream

3

/4 cup chilled whipping cream

1

tablespoon sugar

1

/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

1

(1-pint) basket strawberries, hulled, quartered

Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. For basil syrup

    Step 1

    Blanch 1/3 cup basil leaves in small saucepan of boiling water 30 seconds. Drain, then transfer basil to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain; squeeze out excess water from basil. Puree basil with corn syrup in blender. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop. Bring basil syrup to room temperature, then strain through sieve into small bowl.

  2. For meringues

    Step 2

    Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 275°. Firmly trace six 21/2-inch circles on parchment paper, then invert onto baking sheet. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating to medium-firm peaks. Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in small bowl. Gradually beat sugar-cornstarch mixture into meringue; continue beating until very stiff. Beat in white wine vinegar. Fold inpeppercorns. Divide meringue between circles; spread to fill completely. Bake until outside is dry, about 25 minutes. Turn oven off and open door just slightly. Let meringues cool in oven until completely dry, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

  3. For strawberry coulis

    Step 3

    Puree berries and sugar in blender until smooth.

  4. For vanilla cream

    Step 4

    Place cream and sugar in medium bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean. Using electric mixer, beat cream to soft peaks. DO AHEAD Coulis and vanilla cream can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.

    Step 5

    Place small dollop of vanilla cream in center of each of 6 plates. Spoon circle of strawberry coulis around vanilla cream. Top each with 1 meringue. Spoon generous amount of vanilla cream atop meringues. Top with quarteredstrawberries and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle basil syrup over and serve.

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