I know I’m not the only one having a hellishly busy schedule these days. I seem to be a dollar short and a day late on just about everything. I haven’t visited half the blogs I normally would never miss (I’m sorry) and I feel like I’m missing out on heaps of stuff because I’m too busy working.
I’d give a lot to have more time to spend with my blog but the economy speaks and work is what I must do. So if you thought I was ignoring you because I’m lazy, not this time.
When my friend Gill arrived the other day for coffee (I do take a break when the doorbell rings) she brought with her a big sack of the last of the season passionfruit. She’s got a lovely vine growing on her fence facing the canal and she gets great morning northerly sun and the passionfruit appreciate it. (remember we’re upside down so north is good)
I decided to make some passionfruit curd and it was really delicious. I made it just like I make lemon curd. “What to do with passionfruit curd,” I wondered. Just then I saw a flash on the tv screen about iles flottante in a cookbook ad. Instantly I was transported to Paris and tasting the most wonderful fluffy meringue floating in a sea of creme anglais. I knew what to do with the passionfruit curd!
I made a floating island in passionfruit. This is an elegant but not very difficult to make dessert.
There are a few ways to make this but I chose the easy way. I baked it. I believe the correct (?) way is to poach the islands in milk, dry on a cloth and then place in the ocean of custard. That seemed way too fiddly for a weeknight dessert. It was a mini celebration for John and me but it was still a weeknight and as I said, life’s pretty busy, so baked it was.
I whipped the egg whites, added 3 tablespoons of caster sugar and a pinch of cream of tartar and piped a large island for two on a piece of baking paper. I baked it at 150C for about 40 minutes until it was just beginning to take on some color. When I make this again I’ll check the oven at 30 minutes. The meringues only need to be not raw and set.
To make the ocean I took that wonderful passionfruit curd and added enough cream to make it soupy and then plopped the meringues in the middle. We each took a spoon and both of us loved it.
Because I cobbled mine together, I won’t guess at what I put in. I know, I should have made this again but I just haven’t had time. Instead I’ll give you links to Iles Flottante that I used for inspiration.
I had a look at Ina Garten’s recipe Ile Flottante but when I saw all that sugar I decided to go out on my own and I’m very glad I did. Next time I’ll do the caramel but John doesn’t like it so, well, he does a lot for me and this blog so I like to make things he enjoys too.
- 4 egg whites
- 3 tbsp sugar
- pinch of cream of tartar
- In a mixing bowl and a balloon whisk, beat the egg whites with a pinch of sugar and the cream of tartar.
- When the eggs being to form soft peaks, continue beating and slowly add the sugar.
- When the sugar is dissolved and the mixture has firm, shiny peaks, it's time to bake.
- Either drop by large spoonsful or pipe islands on a silpat or baking paper.
- Bake at 150C for 30 minutes until the meringue is set.
- Do not refrigerate.
- Serve in a bowl of creme anglaise or pouring custard.
- Top with caramel if you can be bothered making it. 🙂
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What a supercool, and SUPER easy dessert!! Making it tomorrow.
Can I replace the tartar with white vinegar?
I would love to make this for dessert one of these days…..
Your Iles Flottantes looks divine! I know what you mean about not having time lately to get everything done. .
This is my first time learning about Iles Flottantes (well but you know me, I’m not very knowledgeable about dessert recipes) and enjoyed learning about it. I often has egg whites in the fridge waiting to be used but… you know, all the baking recipes using egg whites sounds difficult. Maybe not so for this one. 🙂
I’ve never had Iles Flottantes with baked whites but I love the idea – how much easier than poaching. And your cream is a great and flavorful change from the traditonal crème anglaise. I love it! This is one dessert I’ve long desired to make but have been afraid to try. I am loving your simpler way. Perfect!
Never had one of these, must attempt to try it!!
Sorry you’ve been busy, but glad there’s work for you. I have never heard of this dessert before. It looks very good 🙂 Happy 4th!
I have never had this dessert or even heard of it, but it sounds (and looks) just lovely! Anything floating in custard gets my vote – especially when it looks this pretty!
Maureen, we were just talking about this dessert tonight and here you’ve got it! It’s so lovely and light, like a swan or ballerina 😀
It does feel like our life is crazy here too! Mostly house stuff but many other things seem to happen every week! I hope you get some down time soon.
This dessert looks so good and I am definitely going to try it. I think I had something like it in Salzburg once. Yum. And I am very impressed that in the midst of busyness you made such a pleasant dessert!! Good for you.
What a pretty Iles Flottante! Love the passion fruit curd with it.
This is such an impressive dessert but uses very simple ingredients. Which is why it’s one of the classics. I don’t think I’ve seen a restaurant offering this in more than 20 yrs. Perhaps it will make a reappearance. Based on the size of yours in the top picture it truly does resemble an island.
I like that you were able to adapt what you had on hand to produce such special result. I have some mixed citrus curd (see link below) that I made a while back but as I’m not really a breakfast person, I’m stumped as to what to do with it, other than mixing it with some whipped cream and filling pre-baked tart shells, or in a trifle, but now I’ve been inspired. Many thanks.
http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/88981.html
This is simple, elegant, and gorgeous!!!
XOXO
Have a great 4th!
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Sorry you’re so busy! But I know that’s one of those things that’s both good and bad (good for $$, bad ’cause you can’t do the fun stuff you like). Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ve ever made Floating Island. I have a dim memory of making it eons ago. But I’ve certainly eaten it plenty of times. Good stuff – the passion fruit is a nice touch.
Your version looks lovely. I’ve been feeling rather stretched myself at the moment, so I can relate completely. I must try to make floating islands one of these days — it’s on my bucket list.
I would love to have a passionfruit vine. It seems we all grew up with them and ate passionfruit in abundance but now no one has them and we have to pay a ridiculous price for them. When did they become so expensive? Making a curd and serving it with meringue is exactly what I would have done. How perfect are those two flavours! That’s a gorgeous looking dessert Maureen and I thought it even looked a little Christmasy and would be good for a Christmas in July celebration xx
I have to make this someday!!
I love it but somehow have never tried making it…
Thanks for sharing!!
It looks like an exploding volcano! 😀 Very original and cool, I’d dig into that with a huge spoon any day. 😉
Having a passionfruit vine sounds so good! There’s nothing growing in my garden except some herbs. 🙁 In fact, I received a passionfruit tree from a family friend a while ago, my boyfriend’s mum planted it in the worst corner of the garden ever and it’s just not growing. 🙁
Your dessert looks tempting. I can’t wait to try these as well.
Here’s to throwing it together so beautifully. No need to write down a recipe. In fact I have been playing with that idea on my blog. No recipes just tantalizing teaser pics that make people want to cry. While I am at it maybe I’ll leave all the recipes out of my cookbook too! That will really leave them begging for more right?? GREG
I love floating islands – I never made them, apart from that poached meringue thing I made, that’s not really the same, but these… look wonderful, and they’re so light and fluffy too, as well as looking seriously visually impressive!
Your Iles Flottantes looks heavenly Maureen! LOVE the passion fruit curd with it!
Just gorgeous!! I love this classic dessert and yours is beautiful. I know what you mean about being so busy lately! I’ve also fallen terribly behind on visiting blogs, etc. So it goes. Gorgeous dish!
yum that looks awesome. You are right about work having to come first as much as it stinks 🙂
Ohh..this looks so t before!dramatic and yum..never heard about such a dessert before!
This brings back a happy memory from childhood. Yum xo
Oh, yum – how delicious And hardly any calories at all, I’m sure!
We have a huge passionfruit vine, but it’s ornamental and doesn’t fruit. It was here when we bought the place – who would think that was a good idea, for heavens sake.
I have never heard of a Iles Flottantes, what a fun idea:-) Your floating island looks fantastic! I wish I had a passion fruit tree in my backyard, that would seriously ROCK:-) AND passion fruit curd….OH MY WORD! 🙂 Hugs, Terra
Hi Maureen! I hear you on the crazy busy these days, but hopefully things will slow down so we can get some lazy days in…or, a lazy afternoon, at least! 😉 This looks so creative!