Macadamia Meringue Nests with Strawberries and Cream, and Strawberry Sundaes

These recipes combine delicious macadamia nuts with lovely locally grown strawberries, fresh from the farm.

strawberries in all stages from flowers to tiny buds to  beautiful fruit



they look beautiful in the punnet........



in the colander, anywhere...

 

Macadamia Meringue Nests with Strawberries and Cream

Makes 4

4 egg whites

1 cup castor sugar

¼ cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped

To Serve:

300ml ( ½ pint) cream, lightly whipped

1 cup strawberries, halved

¼ cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped

Strawberries in juice:

2 cups strawberries

4 tablespoons sugar

1.       Make strawberries in juice.  Cut the green tops of the strawberries and slice each one into 3 or 4 slices. Place the strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Stir to coat the strawberries with the sugar. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours (or overnight) and stir occasionally to mix sugar through evenly as the sugar dissolves into sweet juice.  

2.       Preheat oven to 140°C. Line two baking trays with baking paper. In a large bowl beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, using a hand held mixer. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until it is glossy and soft peaks form. Gently fold in the nuts. Dollop tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared trays.

3.       Bake for an hour, then turn oven off and allow meringues to cool in the oven.

Serve meringues topped with cream and strawberries. Drizzle with strawberries in juice and a sprinkling of macadamia nuts.

Strawberry Sundaes

Make meringues as for the nests recipe above and when cool lightly crush them and place in the bottom of Sundae glasses. Top with cream and strawberries in syrup, and fresh strawberries. Sprinkle with finely chopped macadamias and add chocolate curls, gratings or choc chips if you wish.