FLOATING ISLANDS WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

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Floating islands with caramel sauce image

Fluffy poached meringue is served over a rich crème anglaise in this classic dinner party dessert

Provided by Rick Stein

Categories     Dessert, Treat

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

50g caster sugar
2 egg whites
drop of vanilla essence
50g caster sugar
sunflower oil , for greasing
500ml full-fat milk
200ml single cream
1 vanilla pod
4 large egg yolks
75g caster sugar , plus 4 tbsp
2 tbsp cornflour

Steps:

  • To make the caramel sauce, put the sugar in a small, heavy-based pan over a high heat and cook for a few mins until it has melted to an amber colour. Remove from the heat and carefully add 3 tbsp water - watch out as it will spit quite violently. Stir until smooth and set aside to cool completely.
  • Whisk the egg whites and vanilla essence together to soft peaks, add the caster sugar and whisk until you have a stiff, glossy mix. Grease four ramekins or small pudding moulds with sunflower oil, then gently spoon the meringue mixture into a piping bag. Snip the end off the bag and pipe out the mixture to half fill the ramekins. Put them in a large shallow pan or roasting tin and pour boiling water from a kettle into the pan around the ramekins, stopping when the water comes halfway up the ramekins or before it fills the pan. Cover with a lid or tin foil and place over a medium heat so that the water is just simmering. Cook for 4-6 mins, then take the ramekins out of the water and, while still warm, run a palette knife all the way around the edge of the meringue to release it and carefully turn out onto a sheet of baking paper. Set aside at room temperature for up to 4 hrs until serving.
  • To make the crème anglaise, put the milk and cream into a large pan. Cut the vanilla pod in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds and pod to the pan and bring to the boil, then take off the heat to cool slightly. Whisk together the egg yolks and 75g of sugar until pale and creamy, then whisk in the cornflour and 4 tbsp sugar.
  • Discard the vanilla pod, then add the egg mixture to the warm milk and cream, and heat gently for 4-5 mins, stirring continuously until it starts to thicken and coats the back of a spoon. Strain through a sieve into a large jug and cover with cling film. Leave to cool, then chill in the fridge until serving.
  • To serve, pour a pool of chilled custard into each bowl then carefully top with a meringue. Drizzle over the caramel syrup and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 534 calories, Fat 21 grams fat, SaturatedFat 11 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 77 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 70 grams sugar, Protein 10 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium

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