Vinegar in Gooey Chocolate Stack

Asked by rynayou. Answered on 18th October 2015

Full question

Can the red wine vinegar in the Gooey Chocolate Stack be substituted with other ingredient? Something with no alcohol. Please advise. Thank you. Sincerely Rynayou

Our answer

Nigella's Gooey Chocolate Stack (from Domestic Goddess and on the Nigella website) is made from 3 discs of chocolate-flavoured meringue and sandwiched together with a chocolate flavoured creme patissiere. The red wine vinegar is used in the meringue as the acid helps to stabilise the whisked egg whites.

It is possible to use an alternative to the red wine vinegar. You can also use white wine or cider vinegar but if you are unable to use vinegar then fresh lemon juice can be used instead. You should use the same quantity as for the vinegar (1 teaspoon).