Lemon And Pistachio Praline Meringue Torte

MERINGUES
5 lg Egg whites
1/2 ts Cream of tartar
1/2 c Sugar
1/2 ts Almond extract
1 c Powdered sugar
LEMON BUTTERCREAM
4 oz Good-quality white
-chocolate; (such as Lindt
-or
; Baker’s),chopped
4 lg Egg whites
1/4 ts Cream of tartar
2 tb Plus 2/3 cup sugar
3 tb Water
1 tb Light corn syrup
1 c Unsalted butter; room
-temperature (2
; sticks)
2 tb Fresh lemon juice
1 tb Plus 2 teaspoons grated
-lemon peel
1 ts Vanilla extract

FOR PRALINE:

Oil large baking sheet. Stir sugar and water in heavy small saucepan over
medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without
stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet
pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally. Stir in pistachios. Immediately
pour mixture onto prepared sheet. Cool praline completely.

Finely chop praline. Grind 1/2 cup praline to powder in processor.

FOR MERINGUES:

Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in top third of oven. Preheat oven to
225F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Draw two 8-inch-diameter
circles on 1 parchment sheet and 1 circle on second. Turn over parchment on
baking sheets, marked side down. Using electric mixer, beat 5 egg whites
and cream of tartar in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2
cup sugar; beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry. Beat in almond
extract. Stir powdered sugar and 1/2 cup praline powder in bowl to blend.
Fold into meringue in 2 additions.

Divide meringue among traced circles. Using spatula, spread mixture to
edges. Bake until crisp and pale golden, reversing baking sheets after 45
minutes, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cool meringues completely.

FOR LEMON BUTTERCREAM:

Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water until
melted. Remove from over water; cool.

Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl
until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons sugar.

Meanwhile, combine remaining 2/3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water and corn
syrup in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar
dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until candy thermometer
registers 238F., brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and
swirling pan occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Immediately pour hot syrup in thin steady stream into beaten egg whites,
beating until mixture is completely cool, about 4 minutes. Beat in butter 2
tablespoons at a time. Beat in white chocolate, lemon juice, peel and
vanilla. Chill until thickened to spreadable consistency, about 45 minutes
or less (If frosting looks curdled, place bowl over saucepan of simmering
water and whisk just until butter softens slightly. Remove from heat. Using
electric mixer, beat buttercream until smooth. Repeat warming technique as
necessary to create smooth buttercream.)

Place 1 meringue layer on platter. Spread scant 1 cup buttercream evenly
over. Top with another meringue layer. Spread scant 1 cup buttercream
evenly over top and sides of torte. Press chopped praline onto sides and in
1-inch border along top edge of torte. Chill overnight. Let torte stand at
room temperature
30 minutes before serving.

Serves 12.