Offering a meringue crust topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits, Pavlova is a pie with quite an intriguing background. While a bit of controversy surrounds the official credit for creating the dessert, the name and recipes first hit the public as a tribute to a popular ballerina named Anna Pavlova. When Pavlova was touring Australia and New Zealand around the same time, the sweet treat surfaced in both countries soon after. Interestingly, the dessert serves as a national dish in both places. To this very day, the countries continue to fight over the claim of invention.

The meringue of the dessert is made with a crispy crust that offers a soft, light inside filling –  characteristics meant to honor the airy performances of Anna Pavlova. A favorite during holiday celebrations (like Christmas dinner), Pavlova is made with fresh fruit combinations. Fruit selections may include blackberries, grapes and pineapple. However, the true nature of Pavlova shines through with popular combinations that deliver a delicious union of sweet and tart flavors, such as:

• Peach slices and berries
• Banana and passion fruit
• Kiwi and strawberries

In the United Kingdom, raspberries are often chosen as a topping because the tartness of the berries contrasts well with the sweetness of sugar.

Ingredients and Preparation of Pavlova

Beating egg whites to a stiff consistency is one of the first steps taken to prepare Pavlova. The eggs are then folded in caster sugar (or superfine sugar), white vinegar, cornstarch, and at times, vanilla. A pinch of salt added to the egg whites and vanilla essence act as optional ingredients that enhance the overall appeal of the dessert. The mixture is slow baked to form the crispy, crunchy shell of meringue. The inside of the dessert is spongy and moist – often resembling the softness of a marshmallow. When choosing a topping, many note passion fruit as a must-have ingredient.

When did breakfast become ‘the’ meal to eat?

Well, for me, it was shortly after the discovery of these insanely decadent Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes (original recipe compliments of the ingenious folks at “Key Ingredients.”)

Breakfast since never been the same.

Courtesy of bursonm123

The Things You Need:

(other than an enormous sugar boost first thing in the morning)

• 1 package of plain cream cheese (soft)
• 1/4 cup of icing sugar
• 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and another of lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of whipped cream
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• about 4 tablespoons of strawberry jam (homemade, of course, is best, but if you must use store bought, no worries)
• 2 cups of fresh sliced strawberries; although applause will be given to those who use more, obviously
• 1 batch of crepes

The Things You Do:

1. Combine together the cream cheese, lemon juice and zest, icing sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.  Electric mixers work best, but a strong arm will do the trick as well.

2. Gently fold in the whipped cream to the rest of the mixture.

3. Take a large spoon and spread a thin layer of strawberry jam onto each crepe.

4. Add approximately 1/4 cup of the cheesecake mixture and a generous handful of strawberries onto each jam slathered crepe.

5. Roll, serve, and enjoy!

photo courtesy of Baha'i Views/ Flitzy Phoebie

Final Touches:

If you want to make this mouthwatering breakfast fancier still, serve the rolled crepes with a dusting of icing sugar, dollop of whipped cream, or drizzle of rich strawberry and chocolate sauces and truly put your morning over the top.

When it comes to getting a great start to your day, you can’t go wrong with the power and delight of Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes.

Everything is ready. The table is set, the candles are lit, the wine is chilled, a delicious main course is warming in the oven and wafting delicious scents throughout your home. You’re dressed, primped, lip-sticked and ready to hostess what will surely be a night to remember, when all of a sudden you realized you’ve forgotten one crucial element – dessert!

Courtesy of Thea Leworthy Catering

You look frantically at the kitchen clock and suddenly dread the imminent arrival of guests and beloved friends, especially dear George who has the annoyingly polite habit of showing up at least ten minutes early to any function.

But do you throw down the oven mitts and admit defeat? Never! Instead a single word forms in your mind – meringues.

An easy, melt in your mouth dessert, these globs of heaven not only taste divine, but they look elegant on any table as well.

In short, meringues are the salvation to any dinner party dessert faux pas.

All you need to do is this:

1. Gather your ingredients.  2 egg whites, 1 cup of white sugar, and 150 mls of whipped cream.  Seriously, that’s it.

2. Place egg whites into a large bowl and whisk with an electric beater until stiff.

3. Add in sugar slowly — 1 teaspoon at a time is recommended — and continue to whisk at a high speed until all the sugar has been added.

Courtesy of shok

4. Use a large spoon to place ‘blobs’ of the mixture evenly across a cookie sheet covered in waxed paper and shape the ‘blobs’  into ovals.

5. Bake at 250 F for approximately 1 hour, or bake until the ovals can be lifted easily from the waxed paper without sticking.

(Meringues are often called the ‘Forgotten Cookies,’ because they can be left in an oven for several hours after the baking is done, without any harm.  In fact, the dryer they are, the better, so if you get engrossed in a story at the dinner table and don’t hear the calling ‘DING!’ of the oven timer, not to worry.)

6. Once the meringues have cooled, spread whipped cream on one side of an oval and sandwich together with another.

7. Arrange on a serving platter and tra-la!!! You’re done! Dessert is served! Disaster averted!  Congratulations!

Courtesy of Cake Lover

And if you have the time, as always, creativity can be added to your baking!

Place mixture into an icing tube, squiggle onto the cookie sheet and then bake.  Drizzle chocolate sauce, top with sprinkles, garnish with fruit, add nuts, COLOUR, vanilla, hazelnut or caramel extracts!

Experiment with shape; swirl, flatten, stack or cupcake!  Do whatever you wish to make these light fluffy treats a hit!

Either way, whether classically presented or creatively infused, meringues have it all, looks, taste and easy assembly.

Strawberry season is coming. Here is a delicious Strawberry Cream Pie recipe, courtesy of pillsbury.com

Luscious hot fudge topping sits between a flaky crust and a creamy filling for a fruity dessert with something extra!

photo and recipe courtesy of pillsbury.com

INGREDIENTS

1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
2/3 cup hot fudge topping
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 pint (2 cups) strawberries, quartered
1/2 cup strawberry pie glaze
1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream, whipped, if desired

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Make pie crust as directed on box for One-Crust Baked Shell using 9-inch glass pie pan. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

2. Spread hot fudge topping in bottom of cooled baked shell. Refrigerate 1 hour.

3. In small bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Carefully spread over chocolate layer in shell.

4. In medium bowl, gently mix strawberries and pie glaze. Spoon evenly over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

5. Just before serving, pipe or spoon whipped cream around edge of pie. Store in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No changes.

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