Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Basil Buttercream

Tomorrow marks a day that I have been waiting for since last April.

Tomorrow night is the culmination of twelve long months of anticipation.

Tomorrow I begin my journey back to one of my favorite cities, New York, for girl’s weekend twenty-thirteen.

After college, my closest girlfriends and I scattered all over the world.

Yes. The world.

Our girl with the furthest to go is my very own blogger best friend Jeanelle, coming all the way from Amsterdam. And I couldn’t be more excited.

While I love all of the girls that will be in NYC this weekend, seeing Jeanelle will be an extra treat. Not only does she live on another continent, I rarely even have the luxury of chatting with her on the phone. There are few people on the planet more like me or that I relate to more. We have the same passions. Both love yoga and food and are deeply in love with our families, travel and life.

I guess you could say I’m pretty ecstatic.

The only way to pay homage to my long lost friend who I will soon reunite with is by posting something as special and original as she is.

Something I know she would love.

You will need…

1 bunch basil leaves (about 3 cups)


1 cup granulated sugar


3 egg whites
Pinch of cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes

Wash, dry and roughly chop the basil leaves.

Bring them to a boil with ¾ cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.


Remove them from the heat as soon as they boil and stir in the sugar.


Set aside and let the mixture infuse for 20 minutes.


When the basil mixture has cooled, transfer it to a blender or food processor. Pulse it for about 2 minutes.

Put the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.

Bring the basil mixture to a boil in a small saucepan over medium high heat.


Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook until the mixture reaches 238 degrees F.


While the syrup is cooking, whisk the egg whites at medium speed until they form soft peaks. About 2 minutes.

Once the syrup has reached the desired temperature, gradually and steadily pour the syrup down the side of the bowl until it is completely incorporated with the egg whites.


Whisk the meringue until stiff peaks form and the bowl cools down. About 8 minutes.

Add the salt and butter and whisk on high speed until the meringue emulsifies and becomes completely smooth and fluffy. About 8 more minutes.



Serve on cupcakes or in between your favorite cookies.


Love and Beer Floats
Angela 

Basil Buttercream
1 bunch basil leaves (about 3 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
3 egg whites
Pinch of cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes

Wash, dry and roughly chop the basil leaves.
Bring them to a boil with ¾ cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
Remove them from the heat as soon as they boil and stir in the sugar.
Set aside and let the mixture infuse for 20 minutes.
When the basil mixture has cooled, transfer it to a blender or food processor. Pulse it for about 2 minutes.
Put the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
Bring the basil mixture to a boil in a small saucepan over medium high heat.
Clip a candy thermometer to the pan and cook until the mixture reaches 238 degrees F.
While the syrup is cooking, whisk the egg whites at medium speed until they form soft peaks. About 2 minutes.
Once the syrup has reached the desired temperature, gradually and steadily pour the syrup down the side of the bowl until it is completely incorporated with the egg whites.
Whisk the meringue until stiff peaks form and the bowl cools down. About 8 minutes.
Add the salt and butter and whisk on high speed until the meringue emulsifies and becomes completely smooth and fluffy. About 8 more minutes.
Serve on cupcakes or in between your favorite cookies. 

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