Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest.
I haven’t had a lot of words to share lately.
I’m not going to lie. Life has been rough. I was just starting to find positive things to focus on, embrace spring and all it’s beauty with fresh starts and hope for the future. I made Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests because they are bright, and yellow, and make me think of sunshine and spring and all things happy.
We’ve grieved and dealt with the tragedy as best we could. We were emerging from the darkness with a positive outlook.
I guess I thought it was safe to live and hope again. I guess it was too soon because the universe was there waiting to sucker punch me again. Right in the heart.
Run free sweet girl. You were loved.
Peyton
April 2010 – April 2017
Peyton was a rescue we adopted in April 2010 from Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue. We never really knew exactly how old she was, so we just counted her adoption day as the start of her new life free from gassing shelters and abuse. Please adopt. Don’t shop. There are so many beautiful animals in shelters that deserve loving homes.
Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests
Ingredients
For the Tangerine IPA and Lemon Curd
- 1/4 cup Meyer Lemon juice about 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup tangerine IPA beer
- 8 egg yolks
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 sticks COLD butter cut into tablespoon size pieces
For the Meringue
- 4 egg whites room temp
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
For the Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd
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Combine lemon juice, beer, egg yolks, and sugar in a heavy bottomed pot and heat on medium while whisking constantly, making sure to get into the corners
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Continue cooking and whisking, without bringing to a complete boil until mixture becomes thick - about 7 - 10 minutes
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Remove from heat and stir in each tablespoon of butter, one at a time, making sure each is melted (for the most part) before adding the next
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Transfer to an air tight container and refrigerate until needed
For the Meringue
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Preheat oven to 215
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Add egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment
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Start out on low speed and whip the egg whites
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Add vanilla and corn starch and when the eggs start to get foamy, increase the speed to medium
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Add sugar slowly, one tablespoon at time
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After about half the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium high
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Continue adding sugar one tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form and can stand up on their own without falling over - this process takes about 15 minutes
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
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Transfer meringue to a disposable piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto the parchment paper one 3 - 4 inch circle, fill in the center, then add two rings one on top of the other around the edge of the base creating a nest, repeat 12 times, then make little stars with the remaining meringue
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Bake 90 minutes or until meringue is solid and dry (ish)
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Turn off oven and leave the pan inside until cooled completely
For the Assembly
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Transfer curd to a disposable piping bag
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Pipe into the center of the nests and fill to just above the top
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Serve with the meringue stars and whipped cream if desired
NOTES:
- I don’t normally recommend cooking with an IPA because they are usually hoppy and when reduced can become very bitter. In this curd recipe I didn’t cook it down very much, so the hops didn’t have a real opportunity to concentrate and get bitter. The flavor combination of the tangerine beer and the sweet and tang of the meyer lemon juice was a perfect balance with the meringue nests. I used Tangier from Southern Tier.
- I saw something similar to these nests in a magazine that I was reading while bored out of my mind waiting in Lowes for Chris to finish shopping for boring hardware or screws or something. I was inspired, but have no recollection of what magazine it was.
I can barely read your post, Rach!! My heart goes out to you so much! I know what it’s like you lose a fur baby, an important part of your family like that. It’s so hard and so sad. I’m sure Peyton is playing in heaven now with our fur babies that have passed. Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and lots of love your way, my friend! XOXO
Oh Rachelle! I am so sorry. How hard to lose so much. Please know things will get better. It may just take time. Take time to love all that you love. Wishing you well!
so sorry Rachelle, sending you lots of love and sunshine! xoxo
I am so sorry Rachelle. Sending you lots of love and sunshine! xoxo
Sorry to hear about your loss! Sounds like your dog was very loved. And these meringue nests look like a great way to add some sunshine to your life, love the flavor!
Oh geez, Rachelle. I am so sorry to hear about Peyton. We are totally dog people here, too, and my heart goes out to you. As Dawn said above, I’m sure she is romping in a huge green field with our other pups right now. Hang in there, my friend, hang in there.
My heart weeps for your loss Rach. We lost our sweet tuxie kitty (also a shelter kitty) to cancer last year. We did everything we could to fight it, but the cancer won in the end. I still am struggling with the pain of that loss. She truly was special as was sweet Peyton. Time will slowly heal all wounds and please feel comfort in knowing that you gave Peyton a lifetime of love and kisses.. . something that she might have not known otherwise. Please let me know if you need anything or someone to reminisce with. Hugs.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are with us for such a short amount of time, but they mean so much. I hope you can find comfort in getting back into a routine – the recipe certainly looks fabulous. All the best to you.
Lots of hugs Rachelle. Bring up the sunny memories of having Peyton in your life, it is what we focus our thoughts on that remains.
These lemon curd meringue nests are certainly something to focus on for sure. Enjoy these with the memories of your sweet dog.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet furry friend. xoxo
Oh Rachelle, I am so sorry to hear about sweet Peyton, I am sending you lots of virtual hugs my friend..
I really wanna try my hand at making MERINGUES!!!! I think I would ADORE them! ha! But eggs do make me REALLY tired, so perhaps I should indulge before bed LOL!
🙁 I don’t really even know what to say Rach, other than I love you. And I’m always here for you! Peyton was such a cutie and I just KNOW shes up there in doggie heaven (hopefully she made friends with my tater tot up there) rolling around in the grass and eating ALL the dog treats possible. My sincerest condolences for your loss, my sweet friend. I hope you are taking solace in the fact that Peyton knew how much you guys loved her! <3 As for these little nests, they are just fabulous! So bright and beautiful, just like YOU! I say eat a few dozen of these on repeat, because these beauties have to bring at least a little bit of light to dark days. Sending all the hugs and love your way. XOXOXO
P.s. Pinned.
Oh Rach, I thought I could handle this a little bit better since I knew, but I can’t. Seeing Payton’s pictures are making me cry. Losing a pet is so heartbreaking and I wish you guys weren’t dealing with this, but please find solace in the fact that she had a beautiful life with you all and she was loved so much!
Hugs and prayers for peace! Losing a beloved companion is so terrible…
I’m so sorry for your loss Rach. I know what you’re going through and it takes lots of time to get over a loss of a treasured pet. I wish I was there to give you a big hug and tell you that one day you’ll be ready to open your heart to another, because that day will come. I love these beautiful meringue nest with lemon curd. The colors are a definite cheer up. Sending love and prayers your way. XO
Oh, Rachelle, I am so so sorry. Really so sorry. I wish I could give you a hug right now. Take care, my friend. XO
Hoping comfort for you, from a fellow boxer lover <3
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your furry. Peyton was really sweet. I hope that you get some comfort. These lemon curd meringue nests look very nice.
I am sorry for your loss, and I know that losing a family member is just the worst. Everything is grey for quite some time. This is a lovely honor dessert, so bright and cheery. Sounds like Peyton was pretty special. Hang in there.
What a delicious recipe. I love the idea of using IPA. And how good are Meyer lemons for cooking?
These meringues are so beautiful! I would devour a few of them in one sitting.