Mango and Yogurt Gelees with Meringue Kisses

I made these yogurt pots last Sunday because I needed a little comfort food.  Funny how certain foods can make you feel good, and alternatively, there are some that can make you feel very, very bad.  Unfortunately, the latter is what I experienced last Saturday. I suspect my lunch had some kind of strange preservative, or maybe MSG in it, because not long afterward I started seeing flashing lights. The dreaded migraine headache.  I get about two a year and they always scare the heck out of me.

I’m all better now, but the ordeal left me wanting foods with few and simple ingredients. This dessert is just that. Very simple. It reminds me of a fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, only a little more dessert-like. I really had the urge to bake something as well, and the lightness of the meringues just felt right at the time.

You’ll need about 1 cup of fruit puree for this recipe.  I used two medium mangoes and that gave me a little more than a cup.  If you don’t like mango, then you can substitute your favorite fruit to puree.  I filled these 4 oz. glasses up about 1/3 of the way.  Before adding the yogurt layer, I like to put the puree in the freezer for a bit.  This makes the line between the two layers nice and crisp.

I used 2 cups of Greek vanilla yogurt for the top layer.  You can swap out 1 cup of  yogurt for 1 cup ricotta cheese for a heavier texture and an almost cheese-cake like flavor (I like part-skim ricotta for this).  Plain gelatin is added to the yogurt (or mixture of yogurt and ricotta) for a firm texture.

Top with some beautiful fresh berries, and you’ve got a treat for the eyes as well as tastebuds!

For the meringues, the egg whites should be room temperature, but you can cheat like I did and microwave them for 10 seconds. The “kiss” shape was made with a large closed star piping tip (No. 30 Wilton, I believe).  I added a sprinkling of pale yellow sanding sugar to the meringues before they were baked. 

Mango and Yogurt Gelees   [click for printable version]

Yield: 6 – 1/2 cup servings

Mango puree:

2 medium ripe mangoes

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. sugar (optional)

Peel mangoes and cut the flesh into large pieces.  Pour lemon juice over pieces and puree in a food processor or blender.  Taste;  if mixture is too tart add sugar if desired.  Pour puree evenly into the bottom of  6 – 4oz. glasses.  Place in freezer.

Yogurt gelee:

2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt

1/4 cup extra fine granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp. gelatin

2 tbsp. water

Pour the water into a small bowl.  Sprinkle the gelatin over water to bloom; set aside.  Combine the yogurt and sugar in saucepan, stir to combine.  Gently heat yogurt mixture until it thins somewhat. Remove from stove-top.  Microwave the gelatin for 10 seconds (it will turn to liquid) and combine with yogurt mixture.  Your cream mixture should not be very hot, if it is then let it cool slightly.  Remove glasses from freezer and layer yogurt mixture on top of mango puree.  Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Meringue Kisses   [click for printable version]

Yield: 24 kisses

2 egg whites, room temperature

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

1/2 cup extra fine granulated sugar

Colorful sanding sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Beat egg whites on medium speed with an electric mixer until frothy. Add cream of tartar. Beat on high speed adding sugar one tablespoon at a time until stiff peaks form.  Transfer to pastry bag fitted with a large closed star tip.  Pipe kisses onto parchment lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with colorful sanding sugar.  Bake for 45 minutes, rotate baking sheets, then bake for an additional 45 minutes (90 minutes total).  Allow kisses to cool before removing from baking pan.  Store in an airtight container.

Follow:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
22 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Candy
Candy
13 years ago

Gorgeous! I love your photos and those little milk bottle cups, where did you find them?

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Pretty pretty pretty! I haven't really done any layered desserts but they're so appropriate for springtime, maybe I should. Mmmmm mango.

Sinful Southern Sweets
Sinful Southern Sweets
13 years ago

So beautiful!!!

Susi's Kochen und Backen
Susi's Kochen und Backen
13 years ago

Stunning !!!

The Little Foodie
The Little Foodie
13 years ago

Oh, I love this idea. I think this would also be a good idea (fruit on the bottom) with a pot de creme.

Lauren
Lauren
13 years ago

What a gorgeous (and healthy) warm-weather treat! I can't wait to try this.

Bonnie
Bonnie
13 years ago

These are so pretty. It looks like "healthy" lemon meringue pie.

Patty
Patty
13 years ago

Sounds a bit strange that yogurt would be a comfort food, but it's so true. What a pretty way to enjoy yogurt and fruit. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

i repeat the question Candy Girl submitted.. where did you get the glass jars?? they are so cute!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

these looook so delish! i love the idea of the meringue topping it! heck, i love every bit of it!

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

Love the yellow and red together:) Beautiful presentation down to every last detail!!! Looks delicious!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Thanks everyone!

To CandyGirl and the other person asking about the little jars(hi!): they were bought at a secondhand store. The tag said "vintage yogurt jars". Unfortunately, that's the only info I have about them. By chance you may be able to find them at an antique store or a thrift store. I'm always scouring those places for little cups, glasses and jars to add to my collection.

Jan
Jan
13 years ago

I can't wait to make these yummy treats! I found these same jars at the miette bakery in san fransico.

Kathleen
Kathleen
13 years ago

Oh my! These are so gorgeous, Your photography really is amazing!!!

Lisa
Lisa
13 years ago

Heather I know what you mean about migraines, I get them too and they are just the most miserable things on the face of the earth. I'm so glad you're feeling better. I can absolutely understand wanting something light and fruity after one of them. Beautiful photos 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

These look beautiful, and sound amazing! My daughter and I love mangoes, cant wait to try them. I bet they would be great with a mixed tropical fruit puree also.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

thanks for the information about the jars!! i'll be looking out for similar ones at the local antique shops!

Lot-O-Choc
Lot-O-Choc
13 years ago

Wowww these look gorgeous!! Mmmm yummy!

The Urban Baker
The Urban Baker
13 years ago

Beautiful. And I don't even like yogurt!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

This was so easy to make and absolutely delicious! For time I put the cups in the freezer (yogurt and all) for about 45 mins. I forgot to take one out and I have to tell you these are fantastic completely frozen. Perfect treat after a long hot day!
Thanks for posting the recipe!

Cami
Cami
12 years ago

Heather, I loved those glass jars so much that I had to find them. Apparently they are French yogurt cups (Yaourt brand, but I think there are others) that still sell them to this day. Unfortunately you need to find someone in France to send you some…or you could go visit! Someone also mentioned Trade Joes has something similar? For now I will settle on a pot de creme or maybe just a pretty glass to make this great dessert.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I love your yogurt pots; please tell me where I can by them. Thank You! Phi