Here in Ontario, the local strawberries are coming in! We love that fresh, juicy and sweet taste. This is also the weekend when we’re trying to catch up on gardening and having a barbecue
and family get together so I was looking for a dessert that would be light,
make-ahead (mostly) and delicious. I settled on a Pavlova, that melt in the mouth combo
of meringue, cream and berries. But then
I remembered past Pavlovas looking great until you tried to cut them and they
exploded. Hmm. That’s when the decision to make the
mini-Pavlovas was born. I decided to add lemon curd to the mix to give it some zing. You can make
your own lemon curd for this, but we have been on the run and living by the
20/80 rule: that is, you can often get 80 % of the benefit out of 20 % of the effort.
So a jar of good-quality lemon curd it was. But go ahead and make your lemon
curd from scratch if that suits you. We were not disappointed in our choice.
Ingredients
For Meringue:
For Meringue:
4 extra-large egg whites with no traces of yolk, at room
temperature
1 cup plus one tablespoon granulated sugar
1 cup whipping cream
¾ cup good quality lemon curd (or more if lemon is your
thing)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For topping
For topping
1 1/2 cups fresh sliced strawberries (or berries of your
choice. Perhaps strawberries and blueberries for the 4th of July!) We
used mini-strawberries and they were very tasty.
2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier or 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier or 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 225 F.
Meringue:
Beat the four egg whites with
cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Add vanilla. Slowly
add sugar tablespoon by tablespoon, beating well after every addition, until
stiff peaks have formed.
Line a cookie sheet with
parchment paper. . Scoop out meringue and
shape into ‘bowls’.
Bake in pre-heated oven at 225 degrees for about 50 minutes. Turn off oven and let the meringues dry for at least an hour or even overnight.
Bake in pre-heated oven at 225 degrees for about 50 minutes. Turn off oven and let the meringues dry for at least an hour or even overnight.
Trim and slice
strawberries. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier if you like a bit of boozy flavor. You could use Cointreau too or Triple Sec. If not, a sprinkle of granulated sugar. Let the strawberries sit
until ready to serve.
Just before you are ready
to serve: whip one cup of whipping cream and 1/2 tsp vanilla
to stiff peaks.
Add ¾ cup of lemon curd. You could add more. Fold the lemon curd through, leaving streaks.
It doesn’t need to be thoroughly blended. We didn’t add any extra sugar to this, but you must suit yourself.
Add ¾ cup of lemon curd. You could add more. Fold the lemon curd through, leaving streaks.
It doesn’t need to be thoroughly blended. We didn’t add any extra sugar to this, but you must suit yourself.
The only tricky part of
this entire exercise is to get the meringue bowls off the baking sheet. This
time I used tinfoil instead of parchment paper and it was not as easy. Lesson
learned and too late to take new photos!
Spoon the lemon cream
mixture into the meringues. Add the
strawberries and listen to the satisfied sighs.
The Pavlovas are very refreshing and tasty. I don’t know why it took us so long to turn them into minis.
Have fun and enjoy your dessert.
The Pavlovas are very refreshing and tasty. I don’t know why it took us so long to turn them into minis.
Pretty enough to show twice, we think! |
Have fun and enjoy your dessert.
In case you don't know, Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between me, Mary Jane Maffini, and my daughter Victoria. Together we write the book collector mysteries. We think that reading them is like taking a lovely trip to a mysterious place where books are everything and, yes, murder happens and great meals are served and some relatives are not to be trusted. Of course, justice prevails in the end and books are loved.
We like to think our book collector mysteries are fun, easy to read and surprising too. All five titles are available in print, e-book and audio format. Don't miss out. You can get to meet Peachy (posing below) aka Walter the Pug. Watch out for the Siamese cats - one is good and one will get you!
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Here are some of MJ's books: set in Canada's capital with feisty lawyer Camilla MacPhee and various fleeing felons and frustrating family. Trust me, Jordan doesn't have a monopoly on unusual family and friends. This series is very well priced now in e-books, but also available in print.
Here are some of MJ's books: set in Canada's capital with feisty lawyer Camilla MacPhee and various fleeing felons and frustrating family. Trust me, Jordan doesn't have a monopoly on unusual family and friends. This series is very well priced now in e-books, but also available in print.
We’re also on Facebook and love to hear from you. Click to link to Mary Jane Maffini
Splendid idea to do minis instead of full size version and to add the lemon curd. Totally delectable!
ReplyDeleteWe had our first local (Foster Farm) strawberries for breakfast this morning - nothing compares to them for sweetness!
Thanks for the great Canada Day suggestion from Nancy and all the dessert-loving Reids.
Thanks, Nancy, for coming by! You can change it up any one of a number of ways. Have a great day. Hugs.
DeleteThat looks delicious. I think the lemon curd would add a great flavor.
ReplyDeleteWe found it really delivered, Pat! Thanks.
DeleteGreat idea to go with the mini version! There is something so appealing about little versions of things, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI like the swirled in lemon curd. A lovely subtle touch.
Happy Canada Day!
How many does this make?
DeleteI'm so glad, Libby! We loved the flavor too. Hugs.
DeleteLibby, this made nine meringues. I realize the filling probably did six. So we topped it up after the recipe was done.
DeleteOh, these look amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Celia! And they're really quite easy. Hugs.
DeleteGorgeous summer dessert, MJ and Victoria, thanks for sharing and have a delicious weekend! xoxo ~ Cleo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cleo! Hope yours is delish too. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThose look amazing! I need to get some local berries as well! Pretty easy too, though I may cheat and use reddi whip!
ReplyDeleteI am always in favor of cheating in this kind of recipe, Katreader, and your secret is safe with me. Hugs.
DeleteThat looks amazing. I may just have to try it. I hardly ever try anything, but that is just too tempting!
ReplyDeleteHope you do try it, Kay! And you can always cut corners. Hugs.
DeleteThere's something irresistible about the texture of the meringue, though I've never made it myself. Thanks for sharing your yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty easy and I make it the way my mum did back in the day. Hugs.
DeleteThat looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abby! So glad to see you here. Hugs.
DeleteOh my goodness, lemon curd, cream, and strawberries? I wouldn't change a thing. It's perfect.
ReplyDelete