Tuesdays with Dorie DC: Hot-and-Spicy Togarashi Meringues

December 21, 2021 at 10:01 pm | Posted in cookies & bars, DC, groups, savory things, snacks, tuesdays with dorie | 3 Comments
Tags: baking, cookies, savory, snacks

It’s been a while since we’ve done a savory “cocktail cookie,” and these Hot-and-Spicy Togarashi Meringues sound like just the thing to pair with a frosty beer or cup of sake on ramen night. A little sweet and a little spicy, these meringues are flavored with shichimi togarashi, a ground chili pepper sprinkle mix that also includes sesame seeds, orange peel and seaweed. I have a little jar of straight-up togarashi powder, meaning it’s not the blend, just the ground chili pepper. It packs a pretty big heat punch, but I’m still on condiment lock-down at home and far too lazy to get out my spice grinder to pulverize the missing ingredients myself, so I just went with it.

I had a vision of making my meringues into Ottolenghi-like swoopy poofs, so I scooped them nice and big, rather than piping out small kisses. They totally went flat in the oven! I don’t know what that was all about, although I have to say, I think the ones in the book photo also look a bit “settled.” Although they tasted fine, dissolving away while leaving a burn, I was pretty disappointed in their looks. I still used them as part of a little snack spread for a Japanese-themed happy hour at home, and that was fun, but I’m not sure I’d make these again. If I do, I’ll try using a Swiss or Italian meringue and see if I get a puffier baked result.

For the recipe, see Dorie’s Cookies by Dorie Greenspan (it’s also here). Don’t forget to check out the rest of the TWD Blogroll and please join us anytime!

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I am glad you enjoyed these as they didn’t get good reviews at my house haha. I had similar trouble with the batter though. I spooned it as well, and it seemed to flatten. These sure packed a spicy punch…we didn’t expect quite so much haha.

Comment by isthisakeeper— December 22, 2021 #

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Yah, not sure I’d make them again either!

Comment by Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)— December 23, 2021 #

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I am glad it wasn’t just me! I piped mine and they were plump and fine, but they totally deflated in the oven. I also overcooked mine a bit which didn’t help, but defo not a repeat.

Comment by Cakelaw— December 28, 2021 #

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