Meringue: recipes and uses
Nothing is easier to make a meringue: egg whites and sugar . Different meringues exist: French, Italian or Swiss, each of them is suitable for different recipes. The French meringue is the most classic, the crunchy biscuit bakeries of our childhood. For 4 egg whites, count 250 grams of caster sugar. Beat the egg whites to snow. When they become firm, add the sugar and continue beating until the mass forms a point at the end of the drummer (the famous "bird's beak"). Lay the meringues on a baking sheet using a pastry bag to give them the desired shape. The secret for a good meringue is cooking or rather "drying". It consists of cooking the meringue at a low temperature for a long time to make them crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Bake in an oven at 80 ° C for 2 hours and enjoy. Store for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container ... If you can keep it without rebuilding! Less friable, the Swiss meringue can realize all the decorations of your pastries: mushrooms, characters, animals ... Count 50 grams of icing sugar with egg whites. Set up a bain-marie and place the bowl of egg whites. Froth and add the icing sugar until it forms a solid mass. The cooking is the same as the French meringue so you fun and original decos! The Italian meringue is a mixture of egg whites en neige cooked with a syrup of sugar. Beat the egg whites until stiff and add a syrup of sugar and water at 117 ° C. This is the meringue of lemon pie: melting, do not forget to spend a torch for a professional finish!
Meringue: composition and nutritional intake
Although it seems appropriate when dieting, because of its lightness and its simple composition, the meringue is a false ally of the regimen. With 400 calories per 100 grams of finished product, high carbohydrate and some fat, it is ultimately not recommended during your diet. Yes, ladies! This much too sweet delicacy has a high glycemic index that is the enemy of dieting. In addition, its nutritional contributions are almost zero. Results? Fat and sugar, all for a very little nourishing food. So, have fun yes ... but reasonably! For athletes also: despite the high presence of carbohydrates and its high glycemic index, meringue is not recommended for athletes. Unfortunately, the meringue can not be considered as an energy booster. Prefer a dextrose-enhanced energy drink for energy-efficient assimilation and boost. Diabetic friends, beware of the meringue. Its lightness conceals a high sugar that can disrupt your blood sugar. Handle with care! On the other hand, the people to watch their cholesterol will be filled: with an exceptional rate of 0% cholesterol, the meringue is a pleasure to grant you without worrying about your next control. However, be careful to learn to moderate, otherwise your hips will pay!