🇫🇷 French Cuisine · Desserts

Île Flottante

Prep

20 mins

Cook

15 mins

Serves

4

Difficulty

Medium

Pillowy poached meringue islands floating on crème anglaise, scattered with toasted almonds and caramel threads.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef chuck
  • 1 cup baguette
  • 1 tbsp sliced shallots
  • 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • a generous handful of shallots
  • a handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • a drizzle of unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven (or set up your steamer or frying station) and lightly grease your pan or molds with unsalted butter.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together the egg noodles and bay leaves until evenly combined.

  3. 3

    In a separate bowl, blend the Gruyère cheese with the beef stock until smooth and well incorporated.

  4. 4

    Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, taking care not to overmix.

  5. 5

    Transfer everything to your prepared pan or molds and cook — bake, steam, chill, or fry — until set, about 15 mins.

  6. 6

    Remove from the heat and let it cool completely; this helps the texture firm up perfectly.

  7. 7

    Garnish with parsley or a dusting of lemon zest.

  8. 8

    Slice or portion into servings and serve.

Tips

Bring your Gruyère cheese to room temperature before mixing for a smoother, more even texture.

For the cleanest slices, chill the finished dessert thoroughly before cutting.