Name: Meringues with Mastic
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 6 egg whites; 10 1/2 oz 300g superfine (caster) sugar; 2 crystals mastic (crushed with 1 tsp sugar); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup chopped pistachios; 3/4 cup flaked almonds or 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Meringues with Mastic

The Jews of Spain share a love for meringue-cloud like magical confections we call ‘ashuplados’ in Ladino.

When they migrated to Rhodes Island they added pine-scented chewy mastic from Chios which made them divinely addictive!

Note: Mastic is the medicinal resin from rare mastic trees produced only on the island of Chios.

Learn more about Passover In Zimbabwe here.

Meringues with Mastic

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 30

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Servings

Ingredients

6 egg whites
10 1/2 oz 300g superfine (caster) sugar
2 crystals mastic crushed with 1 tsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
3/4 cup flaked almonds or 1/2 cup cocoa powder

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line 2 baking trays with baking paper, sticking it firmly on the tray with a little meringue.
Put the egg whites in a clean bowl of a free-standing electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat until the whites double in volume and hold a slightly bent peak when you lift the whisk. Add half the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, incorporating each tablespoon completely before adding the next one. Tip in the remaining sugar and whisk until the whites are stiff and glossy. Fold in the ground mastic and vanilla extract with a metal spoon.
Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F (110°C).
With two large metal spoons, take a big spoonful of the meringue mixture, the size of a small orange and scrape it off placing it onto the baking trays. Repeat spacing the meringues well apart. I like large individual spiky ones. Top with chopped pistachios, flaked almonds or sprinkle with cocoa powder when making for afternoon tea or leave plain if using as a dessert.
Bake for about 70 minutes or until they are crisp, depending on the size of the meringues.
Check that the underside is firm to the touch and dry. Turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool completely in the oven for 30 minutes or overnight as I do.