This recipe is perfect for Christmas and I’ll tell you why:
It combines a few different building blocks which means you can adjust the quantity to suit numbers.
It allows you to make the elements in advance and assemble just before serving, meaning less stress and more chat.
If guests don’t like strawberries they can just have the meringue. Or vice versa.
The colours are reminiscent of Christmas.
It is easy – let’s face it, by December, when Chrissy get-togethers are in full swing, you need something that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen using every utensil you own.
The more rustic the presentation, the better – you can totally whack this on a plate after several cocktails and no-one will be complain about the plating up.
I combined two different recipes to create this lovely and festive dessert.
I used a meringue recipe I found on Nigella Lawson’s website and it worked perfectly.
3 large egg whites
175 grams caster sugar
1 pinch good quality salt
Pre-heat the oven to 140C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
In bowl of electric mixer with whisk attached beat egg whites and salt for 1 minute, then increase the speed to medium and whisk for another 2-3 minutes, until stiff peaks form. With mixer still running add sugar a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is stiff and glossy.
Using a large metal spoon, place freeform shapes on to the baking tray.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the meringues are pale and dry. Turn off the oven and allow the meringues to cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar.
The drunken strawberries recipe came from taste.com.au:
1 punnet of strawberries, roughly chopped and hulled
2 tablespoons Cointreau
Freshly ground black pepper to taste – I went very light on this so Miss7 wouldn’t complain
Thickened whipped cream, to serve
In a ceramic bowl gently mix strawberries with Cointreau and allow to macerate overnight in fridge.
To serve place meringue on serving platter on plate, top with the drunken strawberries, grind some black pepper on top then add whipped thickened cream.
Enjoy.
