Apple Pavola with Spiced Crème Anglaise

BY Erin Jackson
November 1, 2016

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Photography by Erin Jackson for Edible San Diego

This Apple Pavola with Spiced Crème Anglaise recipe is sweet and creamy, bursting with warm apples on pavlova and topped with custard

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Pavlova, a light-as-air meringue topped with fruit and whipped cream, is a go-to dessert for celebrations and holiday meals in New Zealand and Australia. And while its exact origins are unclear (both countries claim to have invented it in honor of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova), there’s no doubt it’s delicious. This creative take on pav (as it’s affectionately known) puts the yolks leftover from making meringue to good use in a spiced crème anglaise and features fragrant sautéed apples. The result is an impressive dessert with the familiar flavors of autumn and apple pie.

Ingredients

Serves 6

FOR THE PAVLOVA

4 large egg whites, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup white or superfine sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE CRÈME ANGLAISE

1 cup half and half
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
4 large egg yolks
¼ cup sugar

FOR THE APPLES

2 tablespoons butter
4 apples, cored and chopped
¼ cup brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pulse the sugar in a blender or food processor for 30 seconds, until it resembles soft, fine sand (or use superfine sugar).
In a clean metal or ceramic bowl, whisk the egg whites and salt using a hand or stand mixer. Start at the lowest speed and gradually increase to medium. When the whites are foamy, add the cream of tartar. Beat until soft peaks form and slowly add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until the sugar dissolves and the meringue develops stiff, shiny peaks. Sift the cornstarch over the bowl and fold in gently. Fold in the vanilla extract.
Using a large spoon, form the meringue into 6 rounds on the baking sheet, approximately 1 inch apart. Make a small divot in the top of each round to cradle the fruit..
Bake the meringues for approximately 45–60 minutes, or until they are dry on the outside and still pale. When they are done, turn off the heat and let the meringues cool completely in the oven before serving.
Meanwhile, make the crème anglaise. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice. Set a medium bowl on top of the ice.
Combine half and half and spices in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.
In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Slowly drizzle the warm cream into the egg and sugar mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into the bowl on top of the ice. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool.
Just before serving, prepare apples. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté apples with sugar, spices, and pecans until tender and golden, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Alternately, prepare apples in advance and reheat before plating.
Spoon warm apples on pavlova and top with custard.
The elements can be made a day or two in advance. Store the apples and custard in the fridge and the pavlova in an airtight container at room temperature.

Erin Jackson

Erin Jackson is a food writer & photographer and the founder of Friendly Feast, a nonprofit organization that produces food and drink events to benefit the local community.