Raspberry Vacherin -

Raspberry Vacherin

Meringue rounds filled with orange-flavoured low fat fromage frais and fresh raspberries make this a perfect dinner party dessert.

Ingredients

3 egg whites
175g/6oz/¾ cup caster sugar
5ml/1 tsp chopped almonds
Icing sugar, for dusting
Raspberry leaves, to decorate (optional)

For the filling

175g/6oz/¾ cup low fat soft cheese
15-30ml/1-2 tbsp clear honey
15-30ml/1-2 tbsp Cointreau
120ml/4fl oz/½ cup low fat fromage frais
225g/8oz raspberries

Details

Serves: 6

Method

Preheat the oven to 140°C/275°F/Gas 1. Draw a 20cm/8in circle on two pieces of non-stick baking paper. Turn the paper over so the marking is on the underside and use it to line two heavy baking sheets.

Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl until very stiff, then gradually whisk in the caster sugar to make a stiff meringue mixture.

Spoon the mixture on to the circles on the prepared baking sheets, spreading the meringue evenly to the edges. Sprinkle one meringue round with the chopped almonds.

Bake for 1½-2 hours until crisp and dry, and then carefully lift the meringue rounds off the baking sheets. Peel away the paper and cool the meringues on a wire rack.

To make the filling, cream the soft cheese with the honey and liqueur in a bowl. Gradually fold in the fromage frais and the raspberries, reserving three berries for decoration.

Place the plain meringue round on a board, spread with the filling and top with the nut-covered round. Dust with the icing sugar, transfer to a serving plate and decorate with the reserved raspberries and a sprig of raspberry leaves, if you like.

COOK'S TIP:- When making the meringue, whisk the egg whites until they are so stiff that you can turn the bowl upside-down without them falling out.

NUTRITION NOTES Per portion:- Energy 197Kcals/837.5kj, Fat 1.02g, Saturated Fat 0.36g, Cholesterol 1.67mg, Fibre 1g

Related food category:

• Dessert