Floating Island

Sometimes Writers' Group is not just about writing... sometimes it's about film and literature and the desserts therein.

In Desk Set, Katharine Hepburn's Bunny serves Spencer Tracy's Richard a delicate little dessert called  Floating Island.They eat it in their bathrobes and wonder a lot about a strange smell coming from the kitchen.  "You need a new ventilator," says Richard, "but this dessert is terrif!"

I was certain that Marmee's four daughters made Floating Island, but it looks like Jo's disastrous dessert was berries and cream (and salt!) and Blanc Mange for poor Beth.  

And I was equally certain and equally wrong, that Anne and Diana ate Floating Island dessert.  

So now I'm left wondering where else I read it... maybe Rose served her Uncle and rowdy cousins plates of custard and meringue?  Or was it sisters Katy and clever Clover?  

Can anyone remember? 

All literary references aside, Beth made Floating Island following Ina Garten's recipe, for Writers' Group today... 

Amazing!  Give it a go!  

Heads-up vegans!  There's a good (=tasty) sub for eggs... bean juice (aka aquafaba). So yes, you can make vegan islands for your floating dessert and "what about the custard?" you ask. "Try this custard recipe," I say.  

And there's always the tried and true... chia custard! which can be as fabulous as this and this or as simple as this.