HMC's Notes:
Expand4 egg whites Ask a question about this ingredient
1 pinch salt Ask a question about this ingredient
1 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tbsp. Ask a question about this ingredient
1 teaspoon cornstarch Ask a question about this ingredient
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar Ask a question about this ingredient
1 teaspoon vanilla Ask a question about this ingredient
1 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until soft and smooth with a little sugar and vanilla added Ask a question about this ingredient
3 cups Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries work great together) Ask a question about this ingredient
1 tablespoon lemon juice Ask a question about this ingredient
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet by covering it with a sheet of parchment paper.
Ask a question about this stepBeat egg whites until glossy peaks form. Gradually add sugar, salt, beating continuously. Sprinkle corn starch, vinegar and vanilla and gently fold into egg whites.
Ask a question about this stepMound the egg white mixture on the parchment and shape gently into an 8-inch circle.
Ask a question about this stepPut the meringue in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 250 degrees. Bake one hour, 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the meringue cool completely in the oven. While the meringue is baking, cut strawberries in half, if using, and mix them with the other berries. Add the lemon juice and a bit of sugar to taste (you don't need much!) and let berries sit in the refrigerator until the meringue is ready. They should release some nice juice that you'll use later.
Ask a question about this stepWhen it is cool and dry, place meringue on serving dish, spread whipped cream over it evenly, and top with the berry mixture, including the berry juice. Serve immediately, right from the cookie sheet.
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Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
Made this yesterday for a party for my gluten intolerant friend - she was thrilled. Everyone else was, too. I cut the parchment into a circle about 2 inches larger than the meringue. Used blackberries I picked near the beach, and let them marinate with a little sugar and a couple slashes of Stirrings Pomegranate Liqueur. Slid the meringue onto a round platter before topping with the cream, tinted pink with berry juice, and the berries. Elegant presentation and delicious!