Mint Chocolate Chip Pavlova For Two Recipes

CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Make the meringue: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Draw an 8-inch circle on parchment, then flip. Mix whites, sugars, and salt in a mixer bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugars dissolve and mixture is warm, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and whisk on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Beat in vanilla.
• Sift cocoa powder over meringue, and fold until barely any streaks remain. Using an offset spatula or a large spoon, spread meringue into a round, using circle as a guide. (Be careful not to spread out too much; meringue will spread more during baking.) Form a well in center, being careful not to spread meringue too thin.
• Bake meringue until dry to the touch, about 1 hour. Let cool on sheet on wire rack. Meringue will keep, covered, for up to 1 day.
• To assemble pavlova: Spread dark-chocolate cream evenly in center of meringue, leaving a 1/2-inch border from edge. Spread whipped cream over chocolate cream. Garnish with chocolate curls, and serve immediately.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP PAVLOVA FOR TWO

Steps:

• For the meringue: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip or whisk attachment, whip together the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until the mixture looks frothy. Then, gradually whip in the sugar in a slow, steady stream. Add the vanilla and salt, and whip to medium-stiff peaks.
• Gently fold in the chopped chocolate, then dollop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a circle about 6 inches wide. Use the back of a spoon to make the interior of the meringue slightly shallower than the exterior "walls."
• Transfer to the oven, immediately lower the temperature to 200 degrees F and bake until the outside of the meringue is dry to the touch and appears set, about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the meringue inside the oven for 1 hour to fully dry.
• For the topping: In a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer over medium heat. Add the mint, cover, remove from the heat and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the mint and chill the cream for at least 1 hour.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip or whisk attachment, whip the chilled cream and vanilla on medium speed. Sprinkle in the sugar and cocoa while whipping. Continue to whip to medium peaks.
• To serve, place the cooled meringue on a serving dish or platter. Spoon the chocolate mint whipped cream on top of the meringue and garnish with the chopped chocolate.