Sunday, August 05, 2007

Pavlova

Our next door neighbours invited us round to their Birthday BBQ yesterday. I had a few hours notice so I made this Pavlova to take with us. I used Mary Berry's recipe and the link I've given you is almost identical. However I made the following adjustments:- I added half a teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Paste with the white white vinegar and cornflour mix. I only cooked the very large meringue for an hour as my oven is a bit unpredictable and I was in a hurry. Rather than leave the meringue in the oven to cool completely I switched the oven off and gave it half an hour resting and then took it out of the still warmish oven. It didn't crack! Whilst the meringue was cooking I sliced a punnet of strawberries and sprinkled over a couple of tablespoons of caster sugar and left them to make their own strawberry syrup. I then whipped half a pint of double cream til it was quite firm but not solid, the strawberries and syrup were then folded into this whipped cream and I kept folding until it firmed up.
This Pavlova drove Maisie mad, she kept pestering me to get her some but nobody had cut it. We didn't know anybody there other than our neighbours so I felt a bit self conscious about helping myself to food. I had to keep whispering to Maisie to wait a while.....then she noticed that people were now eating the pavlova so I sent Barry up to get her some. Barry and I never had any, even though this was a large desert it didn't seem to be going far enough! I was so glad Maisie managed to get a slice, I'd have had a very unhappy little girl with me if she had gone without. Needless to say, I am making another one in a minute for us to eat calmly and leisurely, I do love to make meringues but it wears my poor shoulder out...we definitely need a pink KitchenAid!

I am having an operation on my shoulder on the 12th September, my tendons are inflamed because of a bony over growth in the joint which means the tendons don't have enough room to manoeuvre so the extra bone needs removing and also I have a torn tendon which needs repairing....this is being done with keyhole surgery but I'm rather scared none the less!

11 comments:

Taoknitter said...

That dessert looks amazing!

Surgery?! I did not realize that it was so bad. What have you been doing, playing American football?! Hopefully all will be well after the surgery.XOXOXO

Anonymous said...

Oh, yum! I haven't had pavlova in years!

And don't worry about the surgery - keyhole techniques are advancing by the minute.

Gill said...

You'll be fine, I know it's scary but think of the end result. I want a pink Kitchen Aid too! Aren't they gorgeous! The Pavlova looks delicious, I'm impressed you made it from scratch. I use Sainsbury's Pavlova bases.

Gill said...

p.s. sorry forgot to say,hope you don't mind but I've tagged you. The idea is you write 8 random facts about yourself and then "Tag" 8 others to do the same. No worries if you don't want to take part, although it's a nice way to get to know other bloggers.
Gill x

Anonymous said...

mmmmmm, pavlova, that is indeed one of my favourite deserts and here in our Summery Christmas there are always plenty to be seen in the festive season. Just seeing yours makes me thing of summer picnics, BBQs and Christmas Parties - Ooooh I can't wait! =)

Rosie said...

Hope the shoulder isn't hurting unbearably right now!

dutchcomfort said...

What’s up with shoulders? I know some more people who need surgery! I’m sure it will go fine and you will make lots of meringues with a Pink KitchenAid!!! I would like a bite!

talj said...

Oh what a delicious dessert!! I want a piece!

Thanks for keeping up with my blog and for your comments, they are always greatly appreciated! I finally landed back in leeds about 4pm today and I'm just relaxing and getting used to my own space again!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to see you on the way back but hope we can arrange something in the future as it was really lovely to see you and Barry! I will email you in the next few days!

I hope all goes well with your operation, I know how hard it is not to worry but I am sure things will go well for you :o)

{{HUGS}} xx

Laurie said...

Hope your surgery goes well. Shoulders that don't work are no fun. And it takes away from knitting time.

Oh, I will say from experience...having a Kitchen Aid to do the whipping of egg whites is a fantastic event. They are done in no time and with no effort. Simply amazing.

Peri said...

Penny just dropped seeing your comment on Jo's blog - you're Ali's (faerynuffs) mum - I've been reading your blog for a while and it never clicked. Must have been having a prolonged 'doh' moment!

Lydia said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog re: my heart hat ;-) Thought I would stop over here for a look. That dessert looks like a work of art. I've never heard of a Pavlova before, but I'm intrigued now and may have to try one. Especially since it's sort of pink and pink desserts are the best ;-)

Good luck with the surgery. I think the anticipation is the worst part.

-- Lydia

Blog Widget by LinkWithin