Îles flottantes

Îles flottantes (floating islands) are the perfect finish to any rich meal. Make the crème anglaise in advance to save time, and have fun with your own choice of flavourings.

Ingredients

For the crème anglaise

4 free-range eggs, yolks only

80g/3oz sugar

1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out

500ml/18fl oz milk

½ tsp ground long pepper or freshly ground black pepper

For the praline

75g/3oz sugar

50g/2oz slivered almonds

For the meringue islands

2 free-range eggs, whites only (60g/2¼oz)

45g/1¾oz icing sugar, sifted if lumpy

couple of drops of lemon juice

pinch of salt

Preparation method

To make the crème anglaise, mix the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl.

Place the vanilla pod and seeds in a pan with the milk and pepper and bring to a boil.

Remove the pod (you can rinse and dry it and use for vanilla sugar). Then pour a little of the hot milk onto the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously.

Gradually whisk in the rest of the milk, then pour the mix into a clean pan, set over a gentle heat and whisk constantly. Do not let the custard simmer at any point or it will split.

After five minutes it will begin to thicken slightly and become the consistency of single cream (it will thicken more when it cools down).

Transfer to a bowl and chill in the fridge for at least four hours.

Meanwhile, to make the praline, line a baking tray with baking paper.

Put the sugar and 25ml/1fl oz water into a large pan, heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then increase the heat to high.

When the mixture starts to bubble, add the almonds and continue to cook for five minutes, stirring continuously to prevent the almonds sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

Once the sugar and nuts have become a dark golden-brown caramel colour, pour onto the prepared tray and spread as thinly as possible with a palette knife (be quick as it sets fast). Set aside to cool.

To make the meringue islands, put half the egg whites into a clean glass or metal bowl.

Add the sugar, lemon juice and salt and whisk until snow white.

Add the rest of the egg whites and continue whisking until the meringue forms stiff peaks when the whisk is removed.

Gently drop six spoonfuls of meringue into a large pot of simmering water and simmer for a few minutes or until they are slightly puffed up and just set. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a sheet of baking paper until needed.

To assemble, pour a ladleful of crème anglaise into each of six glasses and gently place a meringue in the centre. Snap the praline into small pieces and sprinkle on top.

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