Indulge in a culinary journey to the realm of ethereal desserts with the Floating Island with Apricot Crème Anglaise, a dish that captivates the senses with its delicate textures and symphony of flavors. This classic French dessert features a light and fluffy meringue island floating gracefully atop a pool of luscious apricot crème anglaise, a delightful custard sauce infused with the essence of sun-ripened apricots. As you delve into this culinary masterpiece, the meringue's airy structure melts in your mouth, while the crème anglaise envelops your palate with its velvety smoothness and subtle tang. Discover the secrets behind crafting this enchanting dessert through our collection of carefully curated recipes, guiding you through each step to recreate this culinary symphony in your own kitchen.
**Recipes included in the article:**
1. **Floating Island Meringue:** Learn the art of crafting the perfect meringue, achieving the ideal balance of crisp exterior and soft, pillowy interior.
2. **Apricot Crème Anglaise:** Embark on a culinary voyage to create a luscious crème anglaise, infusing it with the vibrant flavors of apricot, resulting in a velvety sauce that elevates the dessert to new heights.
3. **Caramelized Apricot Garnish:** Discover the technique of caramelizing apricots, transforming them into delectable jewels that add a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor to your floating island.
FLOATING ISLAND
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 8 servings, makes about 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large, wide saucepan, bring the milk and vanilla bean to a simmer.
- To make the meringues: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff but not dry. Scoop up several large serving spoonfuls and poach on the simmering milk, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on serving plate. Repeat until all the egg whites have been used.
- To make the creme Anglaise: in another large mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until light and ribbon-y. Add the warm milk to the egg yolk mixture and return to the saucepan. Cook, over low heat, stirring constantly without letting it come to a boil, until mixture thickness and coats back of spoon. Strain and flavor with rum and vanilla extract. Ladle creme Anglaise around poached meringues.
- To make the Caramel: in a small saucepan, cook the remaining 1 cup sugar until caramelized, stirring constantly. Stir in the almonds. Turn off heat, being careful not to burn the caramel. Carefully spoon caramel over the meringue.
FLOATING ISLAND
Makes a big, baked meringue island for 6. Needs to be served with creme anglaise. Inspired from a Julia Child recipe.
Provided by Kasha
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 6 island wedges, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat oven to 130°, oven rack to bottom third of oven, this is going to rise. Butter and sugar - like your were using flour, but use sugar to coat the sides of the dishes instead-- one or two tall-sided oven dishes, I use 1 soufflé dish and one bread pan usually.
- Be sure your egg white beating bowls are completely grease free and dry. Separate your eggs carefully, one by one into a separate bowl is best, you must not have even the tiniest bit of yellow in your whites or the whole recipe won't work.
- Start beating the egg whites at a moderate speed until foamy, beat in the lemon juice and salt and gradually increase speed to fast, you really need an electric beater for this. When the egg white form soft peak, very gradually add the sugar in small amounts, then beat at high for a few minutes til you get stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla. Scoop the mixture into the prepared dish or dishes, you want them about filled, just use a second dish if you have too much. I sometimes use a prepared bread pan for the excess and slide it onto the same oven rack as the soufflé dish.
- Bake immediately in the preheated oven 35-40 minutes. It will rise and turn golden. A bit too much time is better than too little. Remove and cool at room temperature, it will sink a bit. When cool, cover and refrigerate. May be made up to a couple days in advance and even frozen.
- Cut into 6 wedges and serve on a pool of cool crème anglaise, which is actually a bit difficult to make at home. If you have any hesitation, buy it pre-made. If you are feeling adventurous, use your leftover egg yolks and any crème anglaise recipe from the web and follow the directions EXACTLY-- it must NEVER boil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.9, Fat 0.1, Sodium 135.5, Carbohydrate 50.6, Sugar 50.6, Protein 7.2
"FLOATING ISLANDS" WITH CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND CRèME ANGLAISE
Categories Mixer Chocolate Dairy Dessert Bake Freeze/Chill Valentine's Day Oscars Wedding New Year's Eve Winter Anniversary Chill Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make meringue:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray six 1/2-cup muffin cups with oil spray. Whisk sugar and egg whites in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and whisk egg-white mixture until thermometer inserted into mixture registers 160°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat meringue until soft peaks form.
- Reserve 1/2 cup meringue in bowl. Cover; chill. Spoon remaining meringue into prepared muffin cups, dividing equally. Smooth tops with knife. Place muffin cups in large glass baking dish. Pour enough hot water into dish to come halfway up sides of muffin cups. Bake until meringue is set but still moist, about 25 minutes. Remove muffin cups from dish. Cool to room temperature. Cover; chill.
- Make mousse:
- Place 3 ounces chopped chocolate in medium bowl. Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Pour cream over chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Let chocolate mixture stand at room temperature until cool to touch but not set, about 30 minutes.
- Beat crème fraîche in another medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold crème fraîche and reserved 1/2 cup meringue into chocolate mixture. Leaving meringue in each muffin cup, scoop out center of each meringue, forming cup with 1/2-inch-thick bottom and sides. Fill meringue cups with mousse. Cover and chill until set, at least 1 hour.
- Spoon Crème Anglaise onto plates. Run small sharp knife around sides of meringue cups. Carefully turn meringues out. Place atop sauce. Sprinkle shaved chocolate over. Garnish with berries.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use homemade apricot preserves or jam instead of store-bought.
- If you don't have a double boiler, you can make the crème anglaise in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water.
- To make sure the egg whites are stiff enough, beat them until they form peaks that hold their shape.
- Be careful not to overcook the egg whites, or they will become tough.
- Serve the floating island immediately, or the egg whites will start to deflate.
Conclusion:
Floating island with apricot crème anglaise is a classic dessert that is sure to impress your guests. It is a light and airy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of the sweet egg whites, the tangy apricot crème anglaise, and the crisp meringue is simply irresistible. If you are looking for a special dessert to make, this is the one for you.
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