Hazelnut meringues with caramelized pears

Method

1 Preheat oven to 110ºC/90ºC fan/Gas ¼. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment.

2 In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites into soft peaks. Whisk in the sugar, 1tbsp at a time, and whisk until stiff. Fold in 75g (3oz) of the nuts with a metal spoon. Dab a little mixture under each corner of the paper to stick it to the trays, then put large spoonfuls of the mixture, spaced well apart, on the paper. Sprinkle remaining nuts over and bake for 1½-2 hours until dry. Leave to cool.

3 Approximately 30 minutes before you are ready to serve, preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6.

4 Melt the butter and sugar in an ovenproof frying pan. Add the pears and fry, turning, until starting to colour, then roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve with the meringues an