Menu Enter a recipe name, ingredient, keyword...

Baking 101: the 10 basics everyone should know

By,
Gourmandize
Meringue 8/10

Meringue

Meringue is a baking staple, eaten both on its own and in desserts like pavlovas. Surprisingly, there are many different types of meringues that vary according to their origins and uses.

 

French meringue is made with egg whites that are whisked until stiff, to which sugar is then added. The mixture is then baked in an oven with the oven door half-open.

 

Italian meringue is based on cooked sugar. The egg whites are whisked until firm, and at the same time a sugar syrup is made. The eggs are then folded into the sugar syrup.

 

Swiss meringue is first cooked in a water bath and then baked in an oven. It’s mostly used to make decorative meringues.


More steaming articles



Chef Tips and Tricks

VIDEO: Zebra Cake

Try this clever trick to make the perfect zebra cake!

Ingredients

  • 2 large water or soda bottles (empty)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp cocoa powder

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Ready 2 large plastic bottles, cleaned and dried.
  3. Add 1 cup of flour to each bottle.
  4. Add 1/2 cup of sugar to each.
  5. Melt butter, then add equal halves to each bottle.
  6. Add 6 eggs, 3 in each.
  7. Add 1/2 tbsp of baking powder to each.
  8. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream to each.
  9. Shake the bottles thoroughly until the contents are well mixed.
  10. In one of the bottles only, add the cocoa powder.
  11. Beginning with the cocoa powder mixture, add a dolop of batter to the center of a circular
  12. baking tin. Do the same with the other mixture, placing the dolop directly in the center of the previous one.
  13. Continue with alternating additions of each mixture until all batter is used and the tin is full.
  14. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  15. Serve and enjoy!