Mmmmm Pavlova

One of the many terrible things about living in the UK is the desserts. Seriously there are no desserts like the ones we have here in the UK in the states. Ok so maybe there are but I never experienced them. And maybe terrible isnt the right word... maybe there are other words to describe the amazing creations of this country.

One of my favorite desserts in the UK is Pavlova. There is something about the combination of meringue, when it is cooked correctly crunch on the outside and nice and chewy on the inside, with Fresh Double Cream and Fresh Summer Berries! There is just nothing like it.

If you are even in the UK you can of course buy it in the store. Or if not in the UK or you are in the UK and want feel adventurous you can make it yourself. Here is my favorite recipe when I am making Pavlova myself. I think a lot of people think making meringues is difficult but really they are not that hard at all. Have a try! Let me know what you think of this recipe!


Ingredients:

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 225g or 1 Cup golden caster sugar
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2 vanilla pod
  
• 284ml carton double cream
• 1 lemon zested
• 450g (I just put loads of Mixed Berries) raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries or a mixture
• 1 tbsp icing sugar

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cover a baking sheet with baking parchment. Whisk the egg whites with electric beaters until they just form stiff and shiny peaks. Gradually add the sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time and whisk really well between each addition. When all of the sugar is used up continue whisking for 3-4 minutes or until the meringue is stiff and glossy and stands up in peaks, then whisk in the cornflour and vinegar. Spoon the mixture onto the baking parchment and use a palette knife to make a circle about 20cm in diameter. Put in the oven, turn the temperature down to 120C/fan 100C/gas 1/2 and cook for 11/2 hours. Turn the oven off and leave the meringue inside until completely cold (you can make this the day before and leave to cool overnight).
2. Carefully peel off the baking parchment and put the pavlova on a serving dish. Don't worry if it cracks. Scrape the vanilla seeds into a mixing bowl, add the cream and lemon zest and softly whip, then spoon onto the pavlova. Mix the berries, spoon the fruit on top of the cream, dust with a little icing sugar and serve.

This is seriously delish!! Let me know if you make it how it turns out!