Description
Ina Garten’s salted pistachio meringues blend delicate sweetness with nutty crunch. Rich textures and elegant garnishes make this dessert a sophisticated choice for discerning palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 9 extra-large egg whites (room temperature)
- 3 cups / 605 g superfine or caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon / 5 ml pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup / 50 g shelled, roasted, salted pistachios (roughly chopped)
- Fleur de sel (to taste)
Instructions
- Caramelize Sugar: Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F, positioning racks evenly. Spread sugar on parchment-lined baking tray, creating a thin layer with minimal edge exposure. Bake 8-10 minutes until sugar edges turn golden.
- Prepare Meringue Base: Reduce oven temperature to 120°C/250°F. Transfer egg whites to electric mixer with whisk attachment. Whip on high speed until frothy, gradually incorporating heated sugar while mixing.
- Develop Meringue Texture: Continue whisking, adding vanilla extract. Blend at high speed for 10 minutes until mixture reaches room temperature and forms a thick, glossy consistency.
- Shape and Garnish: Using two large spoons, create six rustic meringue dollops on parchment-lined trays, ensuring adequate spacing. Generously scatter chopped pistachios across each meringue surface.
- Bake and Finish: Place meringues in oven, baking at 120°C/250°F for 1½ to 2 hours. Maintain low temperature to achieve crisp exteriors with marshmallow-like centers. Once cooled, delicately sprinkle fleur de sel or sea salt flakes over the top before serving.
Notes
- Master Sugar Technique: Caramelize sugar carefully on parchment paper, creating a golden-edged base that infuses deep flavor into meringues and ensures perfect texture.
- Whip with Precision: Beat egg whites at high speed until glossy and stiff, watching closely to prevent overbeating which can deflate the delicate meringue structure.
- Low and Slow Baking: Maintain consistent low oven temperature to achieve crispy exterior while preserving marshmallow-like interior, crucial for authentic meringue success.
- Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fleur de sel strategically to enhance sweet-salty contrast, elevating the meringues from good to extraordinary gourmet dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg