Chocolate-Dipped Meringue

Chocolate-Dipped Meringue

3 egg whites
190ml caster sugar
7,5ml vanilla
2 x 80g chocolate bars
150g nuts, chopped

Preheat your oven to 120℃ and line two baking sheets with baking paper.
Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
Whisk the whites to soft peaks.
Turn the mixer to high and start adding the sugar one tablespoon at a time and waiting for the sugar to be incorporated before adding the next spoonful.
Whisk for 5 minutes or until you have a very stiff, glossy mixture.
Drizzle over the vanilla and fold in with a spatula.
Spoon the meringue mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm nozzle.
Pipe dollops of the meringue, spread about 4cm apart, on the two prepared baking trays.
Bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn the oven off but do not open the door for an hour.
Remove the meringues and allow to cool completely.
Break up the chocolate and melt in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water.
Dip a meringue in the chocolate and then roll it in the chopped nuts.
Set aside for the chocolate to cool down and set.

Chickpea Chocolate Bark

Chickpea Chocolate Bark

1 x 400g tin chickpeas
240g chocolate
10ml sesame seeds

Preheat your oven to 180℃ and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
Rinse the chickpeas under running water and spread them out on a kitchen towel.
Place another towel on top and dry the chickpeas.
Spread them out on the prepared baking sheet and spray them with cooking spray.
Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, giving them a shake every now and then so that they bake evenly.
Remove from the oven and cool completely.
Break up the chocolate and add it to a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with barely simmering water. Allow to melt.
Pour the chocolate over the chickpeas and scatter the sesame seeds over.
Refrigerate until set, about an hour.
Break into shards.

Cinnamon Bagels

Cinnamon Bagels

Makes one serving:

1 bagel per person
2 eggs
30ml milk
a pinch of salt

cinnamon-sugar

Add the eggs, milk and salt to a bowl and whisk together.
Slice the bagels in half horizontally and dip each half in the egg mixture.
Place a frying pan on medium-high heat and add a splash of vegetable oil.
Fry the egg-soaked bagel for about 2 minutes before flipping it and frying for another 2 minutes.
Generously dish the warm bagel halves with cinnamon sugar and serve while warm.

French Meringue

French Meringue

4 egg whites
a pinch of cream of tartar
220g caster sugar
food colouring

Preheat your oven to 140℃ and line a large baking sheet with baking paper.
Add the egg whites to a clean large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle the cream of tartar over and start beating the whites with electric beater on medium speed.
Once you have a soft peak you can start adding a teaspoonful of sugar to the whites, while beating continuously.
Incorporate the sugar before adding another teaspoonful of sugar. (If you want to be technical, you should have 30 second intervals in between adding, whisking and more sugar!)
Beat the mixture until all the sugar is incorporated and it is stiff and glossy.
Add a few drops of food colouring and gently fold through.
Scoop the meringue into a piping bag and pipe 2cm diameter circles onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Switch off the oven but do not open it. Stand the meringues in the oven for 30 minutes.
Remove and cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.