Mulled spiced Pavlovas

Ingredients

• 1  nigella seeds 
• 1  cloves 
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1  egg whites 
• 50 g sugar 
• 0.5 tsp cornstarch 
• 0.3 tsp citrus champagne vinegar 
• 0.3 tsp vanilla extract 
• 0.5 tsp orange zest 
• 2 tbsp crème fraîche 
• 300 ml red wine 
• 85 g sugar 
• 2  cloves 
• 2  allspice 
• 1 small cinnamon sticks 
• 4  cardamom pods 
• 0.5  lemon zest 
• 1  vanilla pod split
• 1  bay leaves 
• 6  figs dried
• 125 ml cooking wine 
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder 
• 25 g chocolate plain

Equipment

• frying pan
• baking sheet
• sauce pan
• baking paper
• oven
• whisk
• wire rack
• mortar and pestle

Directions

1. First make the meringues.
2. Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas
3. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Using a pestle and mortar or spice grinder, finely grind the cardamom seeds, clove, allspice and cinnamon together.
4. Whisk the egg white until stiff peaks form, then gradually whisk in the sugar, a tbsp at a time, until you have a stiff, shiny mixture. Fold in the cornflour, vinegar, vanilla, spice mix and orange zest.
5. Divide the mixture into 2 on the prepared baking sheet and use the back of a spoon to make a slight hollow in the centre of each.
6. Bake for 50 mins until crisp, then turn off the heat and leave the meringues cooling in the oven for 30 mins. Finish cooling on a wire rack. If making ahead, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
7. For the figs, put all the ingredients (except the figs) in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
8. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse for 30 mins. Reheat the liquid, pour over the figs, then leave overnight or at least until cool.
9. Drain the figs, reserving the liquid, then thickly slice each into 2-3 pieces.
10. To make the sauce, put 125ml of the reserved fig liquid and sugar in a pan. Stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, then whisk in the cocoa and chocolate. The mixture will thicken as the chocolate melts. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
11. To assemble, spoon a little crme frache onto each Pavlova, top with the fig slices and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
12. Serve extra sauce on the side.