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Gingery Citrus Curd with Crispy Meringues and Fresh Berries Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 124 reviews

Delight in these light and crisp meringues paired with a zesty and gingery citrus curd. Perfectly balanced with sweet and tangy flavors, this dessert is garnished with fresh berries and mint for a refreshing finish. Ideal for make-ahead entertaining, the meringues and curd can be prepared in advance and assembled just before serving.

Ingredients

Scale

Meringues:

  • 4 large egg whites
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 1/4 cups white granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon white wine or red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Gingery Citrus Curd:

  • 3/4 cup citrus juice (combination of oranges and meyer lemons)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 inch knob ginger, finely grated

For Assembly:

  • 1/2 pint of berries (combination of blackberries and blueberries)
  • 12 to 14 sprigs of mint
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to prepare for baking the meringues.
  2. Whip Egg Whites: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the egg whites, salt, and cornstarch. Whisk until foamy. With the mixer running, gradually add the sugar and continue beating on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until very stiff peaks form. Mix in the vinegar and vanilla extract until combined.
  3. Shape Meringues: Spoon large dollops of the meringue mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a spoon, create little cavities in each to hold the curd later. This recipe yields about 12 meringues.
  4. Bake Meringues: Bake in the preheated oven for 2 hours, until the meringues are dry and crisp. After baking, turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool completely inside to reach room temperature.
  5. Reduce Citrus Juice: In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer the citrus juice until it reduces by half, approximately 3-5 minutes, resulting in about 1/3 cup of juice. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  6. Prepare Curd Base: In the stainless steel bowl of your stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the egg yolks, then the whole eggs until well incorporated. Stir in the salt, then gradually add the reduced citrus juice and grated ginger in batches. The mixture may appear curdled, which is normal.
  8. Cook Curd Ribbon: Rinse the saucepan and fill with a few inches of water to create a double boiler. Bring water to a simmer and place the bowl with the curd mixture on top. Stir constantly and cook gently for about 10 minutes until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 166°F (74°C) on a thermometer.
  9. Strain Curd: Strain the curd through a fine sieve into a chilled bowl multiple times to achieve a silky smooth texture. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.
  10. Assembly: Just before serving, spoon the gingery citrus curd into the cavities of the meringues. Top with fresh berries and garnish with sprigs of mint. Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • The meringues and citrus curd can be made a day in advance and stored separately to streamline assembly.
  • Use a thermometer to ensure the curd reaches the right temperature for proper thickening and food safety.
  • Gently folding ingredients and careful temperature control are key to smooth, creamy curd and crisp meringues.
  • Feel free to experiment with different citrus fruits or berry combinations based on seasonal availability.
  • Ensure the bowl used for the double boiler fits snugly over the saucepan without touching the water to prevent curd from scrambling.

Keywords: meringues, citrus curd, ginger citrus curd, dessert, baked meringues, berry garnish, make-ahead dessert

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/gingery-citrus-curd-with-crispy-meringues-and-fresh-berries-recipe/