dairy

boiled

everyday

dessert

creamy

Hungarian

all seasons

Cold

Floating Island (Madártej)

Name: Floating Island (Madártej)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 l Whole milk; 4 large Eggs; 100 g Granulated sugar (for custard); 50 g Granulated sugar (for meringue); 1 bean Vanilla bean (or 2 tsp vanilla extract); 1 pinch Salt

Difficulty

medium

Time

45m

Price Category

cheap

Calories

Medium

Madártej, or Floating Island, is a classic Hungarian dessert, a beloved staple from grandmothers' kitchens. It's a harmonious blend of creamy vanilla custard and light, airy meringue clouds. A refreshing and sweet delight, it's the perfect conclusion to any meal. While its preparation requires attention, the result is well worth the effort.

ingredients

4 Servings

1 l Whole milk4 large Eggs100 g Granulated sugar (for custard)50 g Granulated sugar (for meringue)1 bean Vanilla bean (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)1 pinch Salt

Steps

Prepare Milk

Separate the eggs. Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the scraped seeds from the vanilla bean and the bean itself (or vanilla extract). Heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove from heat.

Make Custard

In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 100g of sugar and a pinch of salt until creamy. Slowly, while continuously stirring, add about a ladleful of the warm milk to temper the egg yolks. Then, pour the egg mixture back into the remaining milk in the saucepan. Stirring constantly over low heat, cook until it thickens (about 5-8 minutes) and coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil! Remove the vanilla bean, then let it cool.

Poach Meringue

Whip the egg whites with 50g of sugar and a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. If the milk used for the custard has cooled, warm it back to lukewarm, but do not boil. Using a spoon, drop small dumplings of the egg white meringue into the milk. Cook each side for about 1-2 minutes until firm. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain.

Serve and Chill

Pour the cooled vanilla custard into serving bowls, then place the poached meringue dumplings on top. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to chill thoroughly and allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, you can sprinkle with a little cocoa powder or grated chocolate.

Extra Tips

► Always add the hot milk slowly to the egg yolks for the custard to prevent scrambling.

► Don't overcook the egg white meringue, otherwise it will become rubbery; aim for a light, soft texture.

► Chill for at least 2-3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to be properly cold.

Nutrition

	Per 100g	Per Serving 250g / 8.8 oz
Calories	180 kcal	450 kcal
Protein	6g	15g
Fat	8g	20g
Carbohydrate	20g	50g
Fiber	0g	0g
Sugar	18g	45g

Download

App Store