To make the cake: Heat oven to 200 degrees F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper and set aside. Draw two 9-inch circles in the center of the paper and set aside.
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Stream in 1 1/4 cups sugar and continue to beat on high speed. Just as the whites reach their peaks, sprinkle in sifted cocoa and cayenne pepper and continue beating to stiff peaks.
Spread the meringue within the circles. Bake for 3 hours, turn off oven, and let sit for 1 hour.
Cool on the pan on a wire rack. Store in a very dry, cool place.
Fill the layers with whipped cream and serve within 2 hours.
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1″ pieces
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 c. canned pineapple juice
1/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. hoisin sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeño, minced (seeded if desired)
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 c. pineapple chunks
1/4 c. cashews
Sliced green onions, for serving
Cooked white rice, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and cook until just tender, 3 minutes more.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, garlic, and jalapeño and bring to a simmer. Make a slurry: In a small bowl whisk together 2 tsp. water and cornstarch until combined, then whisk into saucepan. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Pour sauce over chicken and let simmer 3 minutes. Stir in pineapple and cashews.
Garnish with green onions and serve with rice and lime.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pistachios in a small bowl. Unwrap dough and slice crosswise into 18 pieces and roll each between the palms of your hands into smooth balls. Press gently into pistachios to coat half of each ball, then place, pistachio side up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2″ apart.
Bake cookies until barely golden, 8–10 minutes. Remove from oven and press the handle of a wooden spoon about three-quarters of the way down into the center of each cookie to make a round indentation, and wiggle in a circular motion to widen. Return to oven; bake until golden brown, 5–8 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet.
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat pistachio paste and butter in a small bowl until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Dollop 1–2 tsp. pistachio mixture into the indentation in each cookie.
