Almond Dacquoise with Nectarines & Cream

If you're in the market for something to do with those spare egg whites, I have an idea for you. Now that stone fruit is in abundance, it's just about time to celebrate our bounty with an almond dacquoise.

Dacquoise is a meringue that contains toasted nuts. It's another versatile pastry component for your repertoire that is very simple to make. It's classically used as a layer in cake construction along with buttercream. I was first introduced to it in pastry school in the form of Gateau Marjolaine, a complex French cake created by Chef Fernand Point and made of layers of dacquoise, hazelnut and almond praline buttercreams and finished with chocolate ganache. A very big project.

For something much easier and not so rich, I like to layer dacquoise with a billow of whipped cream and fruit or serve with ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate. The toasted nuts provide depth of flavor and texture to the sweet crunchy chewy meringue.

The method for this dessert is simple. Just whip the egg whites with sugar to stiff peak and fold in the almonds, which have been ground with sugar and a touch of cornstarch. Bake the disc until it's nicely browned, then compose the dessert with cream and fruit. You get a nice crispy/creamy dessert with a good dose of freshness and acidity from the nectarines.

This almond dacquoise would be good with just about any spring/summer fruit: apricots, plums, peaches, cherries, raspberries or figs. Or pair it with vanilla, caramel or coffee ice cream and garnish with a dark chocolate sauce. So keep this dessert in mind the next time you have some egg whites waiting on your refrigerator shelf looking for something fun to do.

Bench notes:

- To toast the almonds, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Cool.

- Raw egg whites can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator up to four days. Each egg white is 1 ounce, so weigh out 3 ounces for this recipe if you have a stash in your refrigerator.

- Egg whites will whip with greater volume if they are at room temperature. Begin the process by whisking the whites with a pinch of salt until they are foamy and opaque. For a stable meringue, slowly add the sugar and then keep whipping until they are glossy and form a stiff peak. You test this by lifting your whisk with a dollop of meringue. It should hold its peak without slumping over. If the meringue starts to look dry and grainy and begins to separate, you've gone too far.

- Use brown sugar instead of granulated in the dacquoise for a richer, caramel taste.

- Substitute walnuts or hazelnuts for the almonds for a different flavor profile.

- For a Coffee Almond Dacquoise, add 1/2 t instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.

- As an alternative, add a dash of cinnamon or a splash of rum to the whipped cream.

- Use a sawing motion with a serrated knife to cut into the finished dessert.

- I baked my dacquoise in a springform pan for a more finished presentation but you can simply spread the meringue on a parchment lined baking sheet in whatever shape you wish. Individual meringues are nice, too.

Almond Dacquoise with Nectarines & Cream

Serves 8 - 10

1/2 C almonds, toasted

1/2 C sugar, divided

1 1/2 t cornstarch

3 egg whites @ room temperature

pinch salt

4 fresh ripe nectarines

1/4 C dark brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 t fresh lemon juice

3/4 C heavy cream

1 T sugar

1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line bottom of a 9" springform pan with a round of parchment.

Place the almonds, 1/4 cup sugar and cornstarch in a food processor and process until most of the almonds are finely ground with a few larger pieces.

Whip egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy and opaque. Slow add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until the meringue is stiff, glossy and holds a firm peak. Fold the dry ingredients into the meringue. Pour into the prepared pan, spread out to the edges and smooth the surface.

Bake for 35 - 45 minutes until dry and golden brown. Place on a wire rack and cool. Release the springform ring and gently remove the dacquoise from the parchment paper. Place on a serving platter and set aside.

Cut nectarines in half and remove the pit. Cut into thin slices and toss with brown sugar and lemon juice. Set aside to macerate for about 20 minutes, stirring once or twice to distribute the juices and coat the fruit.

Whip the heavy cream with the sugar and vanilla to soft peak. Spread evenly on top of the almond dacquoise. Layer the nectarines on top of the cream. Serve with a spoonful of the fruit juices.