Latest news with #Pavlova
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This perfectly baked, few-ingredient Pavlova cake will be the star of the season
A classic Pavlova is one of the most basic yet elegant and delicious desserts you can make. It has it all: it is visually stunning, with incredible taste and texture, and it's naturally gluten-free! But there are so many recipes out there, and it can be hard to know which one to follow. This is the best pavlova recipe because it avoids the common problems others encounter, such as cracks and browning. Many recipes lead to cracked pavlovas or ones that break apart, it´s a big no! With this recipe, you get a perfectly white, crack-free pavlova every time, topped with luscious whipped cream and summer berries. Garnish with fresh mint, and you have the most delicious dessert ever. Making Pavlova cake is not difficult and doesn't take much time; however, like most meringue-based recipes, it requires attention, accuracy, and a bit of practice. Meringue only uses a few ingredients you probably already have at home: mainly egg whites and sugar. Egg whites have a unique way of holding structure when air is whipped into them, but if there is any fat (e.g., egg yolk), it will fail. So, first things first, you need to be careful when separating your egg whites from the egg yolks. I personally get better results from using fresh, whole eggs and separating them than from using store-bought egg whites in cartons. The egg whites must also be at room temperature and not cold from the fridge. We need a little acid (no need for cream of tartar; a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar work fine), and we need to whip the egg whites and sugar together slowly. I'll tell you more below. We bake meringue low and slow, and let it dry out and cool while still in the oven with the door slightly open. Those are my key tips for the best meringue cake ever! Not sure what to do with leftover egg yolks? You must try my ultimate Crème brûlée recipe. You will need only a handful of ingredients to make pavlova: egg white, sugar, and some acid, e.g., cream of tartar or lemon juice. For a printable recipe card, visit the original Pavlova Cake recipe. Now, how to make it? Preheat your oven to 195°F (90°C), no fan. Yes, it is low! A low oven temperature is crucial for making the best meringue. Prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and attach the whisk to your stand mixer. If you are using cream of tartar as your acid, add it to the bowl of your stand mixer along with the room-temperature egg whites. If you are using lemon or vinegar as your acid, you will be adding it later. Begin whisking the egg whites on low speed at first to build a good structure. If using vinegar or lemon juice, wait until the egg whites are foamy before adding one of them. Once the egg whites are foamy, increase the speed to medium/high and start adding the superfine sugar. Add one tablespoon at a time and wait for it to be incorporated before adding the next one. This will take some time; be patient. Once you have added all the sugar, turn the speed up to high and whip the meringue until it becomes thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. Turn the mixer off and rub a small amount between your fingers. It should be smooth, with no gritty feeling from undissolved sugar. Finally, add the vanilla extract and salt and whip for a few more seconds. Gently fold in the cornstarch using a rubber spatula, being careful not to deflate the meringue. Now you can decide what shape you want your Pavlova. The classic shape is a circle with a dip in the center for your fillings. But you can also make small nests to make individual mini Pavlovas. For this stage, you can transfer the meringue to a piping bag or use a spoon or spatula. If you want to make a large Pavlova cake to share, spread or pipe the meringue onto the prepared tray in an 8-inch (20 cm) circle. Use your spoon to make a shallow dip in the center. If you like, you can smooth the sides and edges with the back of a spoon or use a fork to create decorative swoops or peaks. Bake the Pavlova for 2½ hours at 195°F (90°C). After 2 hours, check if it feels dry to the touch, but avoid opening the oven before this time. Turn the oven off, but leave the Pavlova inside. Crack the door slightly open and let the oven cool down completely with the Pavlova inside it for several hours. This allows the Pavlova to dry out and prevents cracking. Wait until just before serving to fill your Pavlova cake so the meringue is as crisp as possible. Whip cold heavy cream and sifted powdered sugar together until soft peaks form. Then, add the vanilla extract and continue whipping until fluffy and pipeable. Don't let it go stiff! Spoon the whipped cream onto the Pavlova cake and decorate it with fresh berries, such as strawberries and raspberries. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint and dust over some powdered sugar. Baked meringue can last up to 2 days in an airtight container on the counter or another cool, dry place. Once filled, the Pavlova cake is best enjoyed immediately, as the cream can make the meringue go soggy over time. If you do have any leftovers, store them covered in the fridge and enjoy them within a day. You can freeze baked meringue to defrost and fill/enjoy later, although it won't be quite as crisp as it is when baked fresh. To protect its shape, freeze the meringue wrapped in foil and stored in an airtight container. You can try other fresh fruits like kiwi, mango, peach, or pineapple to make a tropical version of this Pavlova cake. Or, in winter, try some orange segments and pomegranate seeds for a festive taste, perhaps with some toasted hazelnuts, too. I also love to fill pavlova with my tangy lemon curd along with the whipped cream, to give it a citrus kick. I generally avoid adding very sweet fillings (like chocolate or caramel) as Pavlova already has a lot of sugar. If you do want to add chocolate, I recommend a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate as a garnish only. To take things up a notch, add a few drops of powder or gel food coloring at the end of the meringue mixing process to get a pretty color in your meringue. Egg size will differ in weight/size by country (e.g., a large egg in the US is smaller than a large egg in the UK), and even then, they can vary within a carton. The only way to guarantee accuracy in the ratio of egg whites to sugar is to weigh your egg whites. Wipe all your equipment with a paper towel soaked in vinegar before you start to remove any residual fat traces. So wipe out the bowl, wipe the whisk attachment, and so on. Even if there is one tiny speck of egg yolk in your egg whites, the meringue will fail. Be very careful not to pierce the egg yolk when separating the eggs. Cornstarch is not completely essential, but it is the secret to the best pavlova marshmallow center, so you should definitely include it. Don't bake anything else in the oven while you are baking the meringue, as it will add steam to the environment and affect the outcome of your pavlova cake. Allow the pavlova cake to cool and dry completely in the oven before using it. Weigh your egg whites and sugar using a digital scale for accuracy. A stand mixer will make your life easier when whipping meringue, but you can use an electric hand whisk, too. Always check that you are baking at the right temperature with a digital oven thermometer! If your oven is too hot, you will not get a perfectly white meringue with no cracks. Looking for more summer showstopper desserts to make? Try some of these next: Limoncello Tiramisu Blueberry Heaven On Earth Cake Strawberry Crunch Cake Fraisier Cake And be sure to check out my strawberry desserts roundup, too.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Explorers Found a Cave Filled With Evidence of a Lost Civilization
Explorations of a submerged passage in the Tlayococ cave in Mexico led to an undiscovered room. Within the room, cave explorers discovered bracelets sitting atop stalagmites and other artifacts from a lost civilization. The motif on the shell bracelets traces to the extinct Tlacotepehuas ethnic group, about which relatively little is known. A mapping expedition in the Tlayócoc cave in Mexico led a professional cave explorer to a hidden chamber containing shocking evidence of an extinct civilization. Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova ventured to a community in the Sierra de Guerrero to further map the Tlayócoc cave. When Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas reached the bottom of the cave, having already explored all that was mapped, they opted to head into an unknown passage through a submerged entrance. The effort paid off. The passage led to a previously unseen room in which two engraved shell bracelets sat atop stalagmites, likely as an offering, according to a translated statement from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The explorers also found another bracelet, a giant snail shell, and pieces of black stone discs similar to pyrite mirrors—all of it dated to more than 500 years ago. Archaeologists then descended on the cave, uncovering 14 total objects—three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a piece of burnt wood, and pieces of eight stone discs (two of which were complete). Each of the bracelets were made from snail shells—likely a marine species—and were engraved with anthropomorphic symbols and figures. The bracelets feature S-shaped symbols known as xonecuilli, zigzagging lines,a and circles to create human faces in profile. These designs could be meant to signify deities. The archaeologista estimate that the items were left in the cave during the Postclassic period between 950 and 1521 A.D.—a time when the area was known to be populated by the now-extinct Tlacotepehaus ethnic group. 'This finding is of great relevance, since, with the study of the contextual relationship of the pieces of the cave, we can interpret symbolic notions, cultural aspects, manufacturing, and even trade,' Miguel Perez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement, 'to characterize the pre-Hispanic societies settled in the Sierra de Guerrero.' The archaeologists determined that the stalagmites were manipulated in pre-Hispanic times to give them a more spherical finish, likely to better fit with ritual needs. 'Possibly the symbols and representations of characters on the bracelets are related to pre-Hispanic cosmogony regarding creation and fertility,' Cuauhtemoc Reyes Alvarez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement. He added that the sealed context allows experts to understand how the ancient inhabitants may have conceived of these caves—as portals to the underworld, or as sacred spaces connected to the Earth and the divine. The black stone discs resemble others from nearby archaeological regions, such as El Infiernillo, along with ones from distant cultures like Huasteca. Historical reports say extreme cold forced people groups living in the Sierra de Guerrero (located over 7,850 feet above sea level and filled by dense pine and oak forests) to lower altitudes. Little is known about the Tlacotepheuas, other than 16th century historical mentions of their presence. The snail-shell bracelets could help tell their story. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Explorers Found a Hidden Chamber in a Cave Filled with Remnants of a Lost Civilization
Explorations of a submerged passage in the Tlayococ cave in Mexico led to an undiscovered room. Within the room, cave explorers discovered bracelets sitting atop stalagmites and other artifacts from a lost civilization. The motif on the shell bracelets traces to the extinct Tlacotepehuas ethnic group, about which relatively little is known. A mapping expedition in the Tlayócoc cave in Mexico led a professional cave explorer to a hidden chamber containing shocking evidence of an extinct civilization. Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova ventured to a community in the Sierra de Guerrero to further map the Tlayócoc cave. When Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas reached the bottom of the cave, having already explored all that was mapped, they opted to head into an unknown passage through a submerged entrance. The effort paid off. The passage led to a previously unseen room in which two engraved shell bracelets sat atop stalagmites, likely as an offering, according to a translated statement from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The explorers also found another bracelet, a giant snail shell, and pieces of black stone discs similar to pyrite mirrors—all of it dated to more than 500 years ago. Archaeologists then descended on the cave, uncovering 14 total objects—three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a piece of burnt wood, and pieces of eight stone discs (two of which were complete). Each of the bracelets were made from snail shells—likely a marine species—and were engraved with anthropomorphic symbols and figures. The bracelets feature S-shaped symbols known as xonecuilli, zigzagging lines,a and circles to create human faces in profile. These designs could be meant to signify deities. The archaeologista estimate that the items were left in the cave during the Postclassic period between 950 and 1521 A.D.—a time when the area was known to be populated by the now-extinct Tlacotepehaus ethnic group. 'This finding is of great relevance, since, with the study of the contextual relationship of the pieces of the cave, we can interpret symbolic notions, cultural aspects, manufacturing, and even trade,' Miguel Perez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement, 'to characterize the pre-Hispanic societies settled in the Sierra de Guerrero.' The archaeologists determined that the stalagmites were manipulated in pre-Hispanic times to give them a more spherical finish, likely to better fit with ritual needs. 'Possibly the symbols and representations of characters on the bracelets are related to pre-Hispanic cosmogony regarding creation and fertility,' Cuauhtemoc Reyes Alvarez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement. He added that the sealed context allows experts to understand how the ancient inhabitants may have conceived of these caves—as portals to the underworld, or as sacred spaces connected to the Earth and the divine. The black stone discs resemble others from nearby archaeological regions, such as El Infiernillo, along with ones from distant cultures like Huasteca. Historical reports say extreme cold forced people groups living in the Sierra de Guerrero (located over 7,850 feet above sea level and filled by dense pine and oak forests) to lower altitudes. Little is known about the Tlacotepheuas, other than 16th century historical mentions of their presence. The snail-shell bracelets could help tell their story. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Miami Herald
11-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Cave guide enters unknown passage for first time — and makes ancient discovery
In the Guerrero mountains of southern Mexico, young cave guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas met up with Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova in the fall of 2023. Pavlova is a Russian speleologist, or a scientist studying caves, and she was on a mission to map caves in the region. But, she needed the help of a local who knew the rocky caverns inside and out. The two joined forces to enter Tlayócoc cave, a system that had been explored before, according to an April 9 news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. They quickly reached the bottom of the cave, archaeologists said, but then noticed a submerged passageway. The unknown tunnel had never been explored before, so the two cavers decided to take a leap of faith. The passage led to another room — with centuries-old artifacts inside. Dimas and Pavlova discovered two shell bracelets with engraved images, or motifs, that were set into the stalagmites, or towering stone pillars built up from the bottom of the cave, archaeologists said. They also found pieces of a third bracelet, a giant snail shell and scattered black stone discs, according to the release. The cavers immediately alerted local officials, and archaeologists were called to re-enter the cave in March. Dimas once again guided the archaeologists into the cave and down into the hidden room, where the experts noticed the stalagmites had been retouched in pre-Hispanic times, making them a more rounded shape than the pointed conical shape they form naturally, according to the release. In total, archaeologists recovered 14 objects showing the use of the cave by earlier cultures: three shell bracelets, one bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a burned piece of wood and eight stone discs, both complete and fragmented, according to the release. The bracelets are engraved with symbols and human-like figures, including S-shaped symbols, zigzag lines, circles and the faces of characters, archaeologists said. Pavlova shared images of the site from the initial discovery, allowing archaeologists to better understand how each piece was left before it was moved, as well as her cave maps. The pieces were dated to the Postclassic period, between 950 and 1521 AD, making the artifacts anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years old, archaeologists said. The imagery on the bracelets is similar to historical sources from the 16th century, belonging to the Tlacotepehua ethnic group, a culture that has since disappeared, according to the release. Caves were considered part of the underworld and the Earth's womb, archaeologists said, meaning these artifacts may be connected to ideas of creation and fertility. Some of the bracelets also have some similarity to other cultures in the Guerrero mountains and more distant regions, archaeologists said. The nearby community of Carrizal de Bravo was first settled by nomadic cattle herders who lived at such a high elevation that about a century ago, they moved their settlement to a lower altitude where they still live today, according to the release. There is very little known about their history and early culture, archaeologists said. Carrizal de Bravo is in southwestern Mexico, about a 200-mile drive southwest from Mexico City. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spokane to explore capturing carbon at its power-generating trash incinerator
Jan. 27—An industrial-scale incinerator generating electricity by burning garbage is the largest producer of greenhouse gases controlled by the city of Spokane. Facing scrutiny from Olympia, city leaders are eyeing a costly study on technology to nab that pollution before it leaves the plant. The Spokane City Council is considering a $650,000 study by CarbonQuest, a Spokane Valley-based carbon capture company that has primarily tested technology in large residential buildings in the northeast but is turning its eye to potential industrial applications. The study would be funded by the state using money generated by the very state program that threatens the facility's long-term viability. The waste-to-energy facility is the only one of its kind in the state, and it's under the microscope of state leaders. The carbon cap-and-trade program of the Climate Commitment Act, which survived a citizen initiative in November, could hit the incinerator hard but notably exempts landfills. If the city starts having to pay into the cap-and-trade program for the facility's emissions in 2027, it could come with a cost of $2.5 million to $8 million each year. The city successfully lobbied the Legislature in 2023 to fund an emissions life-cycle analysis comparing the facility to landfills, which showed that burning the garbage releases more CO2 than burying it — but not when factoring in the electricity generated, recyclable metals pulled from the ash and other factors. The Legislature still hasn't agreed to an exemption, however, leaving the city with dwindling time to avoid a potentially devastating cost to maintain the waste-to-energy facility. However, funds generated by the carbon credit market were set aside to fund a study of whether it will be feasible to install carbon capture technology at the waste-to-energy facility. The facility's emissions are not minor: emissions from within city limits were estimated at around 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2019, of which nearly 100,000 metric tons or 5% are generated by the waste-to-energy facility. Capturing a significant fraction of these emissions would be a notable project in the nascent field of carbon capture, which has existed for decades at small scale and with limited success but is projected to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2050. Success in Spokane could serve as a case study for waste-to-energy facilities across the country and potentially abroad, said Anna Pavlova, senior vice president for strategy, market development and sustainability. "The waste to energy industry in general hasn't seen much carbon capture, even though that's seen as the one solution to their carbon emissions," Pavlova said. "Our hope is we can demonstrate it's feasible, we can capture emissions, we can continue the plant running — because otherwise that garbage will go into a landfill — and we want to use that as a case study for other companies." If approved by the City Council, the study would determine the viability of carbon capture at the waste-to-energy facility, draft up designs and explore the best ways to dispose the concentrated CO2 once it's been removed. Eastern Washington is well-suited to potential disposal methods, including storage of CO2 in wells deep in basalt or possible use of natural magnesium formations that can turn the carbon into a solid mineral such as magnesite, allowing it to be stored permanently, Pavlova added. It is less likely there is a current local market where the CO2 could be sold for industrial purposes, Pavlova noted. CarbonQuest's projects in New York state have been able to move the captured CO2 for use in concrete, where it can be both locked up permanently and put to commercial use, but Washington currently lacks the carrots and sticks that make that market viable, she added. But city officials still project optimism about the potential prospects, whether for selling CO2 for use in concrete, fertilizer or sustainable aviation fuel, a potential use being explored by startup Twelve with their pending plant in Moses Lake. Even sequestering the carbon without further commercial use could be a financial boon for the city, opening up potential tax credits, noted Marlene Feist, the director of the city's public works division, which oversees solid waste operations including the waste-to-energy facility. The study also implicitly dares the state to blink: If regulators heavily fine Spokane's facility, there won't be money to consider carbon capture technologies that could run into the tens of millions of dollars in construction costs, nor will a facility under fire by the state be attractive for potential grants, Feist noted. On the other hand, however, there's no guarantee the project will move beyond the study stage if the state does exempt the waste-to-energy facility from having to purchase carbon credits, though Feist said city leaders want to see it happen. "We would like to, but we're talking about tens of millions of dollars," Feist said. "This kind of investment can happen, but it takes time and planning to do so. Whether we have the exact answer from this study, we don't know, but maybe we have a roadmap."
