CHOC-N-ORANGE MERINGUE KISSES WITH PEPPERMINT CREAM

Preparation Method :

• The Meringues: Whisk egg whites in a large bowl until soft peak stage. Whisk in spoonful of sugar till the egg starts to thicken.
• Then add sugar in a steady stream, finally fold in melted orange-flavoured dark chocolate.
• Preheat oven to 120°C / 250°F / Gas mark 1. Line 2 baking trays with baking parchment. Spoon 12 meringues on each baking tray.
• Bake for about 2-2½ hours or until dry and crisp. Cool in the oven, lift meringues carefully from parchment.
• Decorate and Make The Filling: Melt chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of hot water, stirring until smooth.
• Line baking trays with clean parchment and dip bottoms of meringues in melted chocolate. Place them on the parchment.
• Drizzle with remaining chocolate and allow to set. Whip cream with peppermint essence until it holds its shape.
• Sandwich meringues with the vanilla cream in pairs. Dust with cocoa powder to serve.