From the text: pp. 100-109.
Meringue making
Why is a copper bowl the best?
A chemist's explanation of the use of copper bowls
Tips for whipping egg whites
More tips on meringues
All about eggs
Homework Questions:
Meringue specific questions:
1. Why can't you have any egg yolk if you want make meringues?
2. Why are copper bowls best to whip egg whites in?
3. Why can't you use a plastic bowl to whip egg whites?
4. What physical property describes a foam?
5. What happens to the egg foam when you cook it?
6. Why do we add cornstarch to the custard?
7. How can we prevent the meringue from collapsing?
8. What is the purpose of adding sugar?
9. Typically meringues have cream of tarter added to them. Why don't you think we
don't have them in our recipe?
SP 287 & 5.S15 Kitchen Chemistry by Dr. Patti Christie
Mile-High Lemon Meringue Tarts
From Women’s Day, February 1, 2001, page 124
Ingredients:
Lemon filling
•
2 cup white sugar
3
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
•
2 cup water
3
• Yolks from 2 large eggs (reserve whites for meringue)
•
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 – 2 lemons)
3
• 1 tbsp. freshly graded lemon peel (from 1 lemon)
• 1 tbsp. stick butter
• 1 package (4 oz) ready-to-fill single-serve graham cracker crusts ( 6 per
package)
Meringue
• Whites from 4 large eggs
•
1 tsp. Cider vinegar
2
•
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2
•
1 cup sugar
2
Method:
Lemon filling
1. Whisk sugar and cornstarch in the top bowl of a double boiler to mix.
2. Whisk in water, egg yolks and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Place bowl over double boiler, stirring often with the whisk.
4. Boil, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until filling is translucent and thick.
5. Remove from heat. Add lemon peel and butter; stir until butter melts.
6. Pour 1 cup into each cracker crust and place on a rimmed baking sheet
2
Meringue:
1. Heat oven to 350 o
F.
2. Beat egg whites, vinegar and vanilla in a medium metal or copper bowl with
a whisk until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted.
3. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tbsp. at a time, increasing whisking speed and
beating well after each addition until sugar dissolves.
4. Beat 2 minutes longer or until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted
5. Mound Meringue high on each tart, spread to edge of crust , then swirl with
back of a teaspoon
6. Bake 20 minutes or until meringue is browned an instant-read thermometer
inserted in center of meringue registers 160 o
F.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 8.
8. If you wish to share one, use a small sharp knife dipped in cold water to cut
through the meringue smoothly.