A Mid-Summer Raspberry Eton Mess

Eton Mess is one of those desserts that just scream Summer. It’s basically the original deconstructed dish… a deconstructed pavlova. In-season berries teamed with soft whipped cream and meringue…sign me up! It’s also an easy no-bake dessert if you want to totally cheat and buy a pre-made pavlova (or meringue nests). When I’m hosting a bbq and making Raspberry Eton mess I would normally make a pavlova and then use it as the base. However, when it’s just the three of us and we’re after a quick dessert, a pre-made pavlova is the way to go.

While a white Christmas and New Year totally have my heart – there is nothing like London in December. Street lights, carol singers and if you’re really lucky a few snowflakes, it’s pure magic. I’m off track… Us Aussies totally have the good life when it comes to the post-new-year festivities. While the northern hemisphere is heading back to school/work life, we’re all planning the next bbq, picnic, or dam day out of the boat, and summer has really only just begun!

Now, this easy Eton Mess recipe isn’t one for the purists. While Eton Mess is a traditional English dessert, There isn’t a strawberry in sight with this recipe! Instead, the combination of lemon, passionfruit, mango, and whole raspberries makes this Eton Mess a midsummer night dream.

What you need to get started making this raspberry mess…

• a small, ready-made pavlova. I’m totally cheating with this one… I’m always looking for an easy dessert to quickly whip up for all those Summer bbq’s and this is it. Feel like cooking? Try Making your own meringue instead of using store-bought meringues. A homemade pavlova can easily be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container until ready to use.
  
  
  
• double cream or whip heavy cream to soft peaks.
  
  
  
• fresh fruit – raspberries, a fresh mango peeled, stone removed, and sliced thinly
  
  
  
• lemon and passionfruit curd or a storebought version
  
  
  
• slivered pistachios
  
  
  
• salade de fleurs – a dried flower mix of rose petals, cornflower, and marigolds. While not a necessity, they make the dessert pop and give it its wow factor!

How to make Eton mess with store-bought meringue cookies or pavlova

1. Break up the pavlova and distribute it evenly between the glasses
   
   
   
2. De-stone and peel the mango. Slice into thin strips and add to the curd and meringue.
   
   
   
3. Dollop (or pipe with a piping bag and star nozzle) the double cream into any crevices.
   
   
   
4. Top with fresh raspberries
   
   
   
5. Sprinkle with pistachios and dried flowers.

Now let’s serve this up…

When I am feeding a crowd, I always serve my berry Eton Mess on an oblong salmon platter, placed in the middle of the table. You could also try this on a grazing board. It’s totally impressive and one of the easiest desserts you’ll come across. The oblong shape makes it easier for more people to reach the table. Whenever I do this it’s always greeted with lots of oohs and ahhs! It’s the perfect Summer dessert!

When it’s just a couple of us, individual portions are the way to go. This raspberry Eton Mess is the dessert in our family that every single person just devours. Even non-dessert people like the Irishman. Side note, what’s that about? Who doesn’t like dessert? These cocktail glasses make the best serving dish for individual servings. They have a wide mouth and are shallow-ish, making it easy to scrape every last bit out of them! Or if you have a few preserving jars laying about, they also work a treat!

Eton Mess Variations

Can’t get your hands on salade de fleurs? Head to your local grocer and track down some fresh, edible flowers.

Substitute the lemon and passionfruit curd for another citrus curd. Lemon, lime, orange, or even yuzu curd are all delicious options!

Fruit not in season? Not a problem. Try canned mango or even freeze-dried raspberries which are available from good food stores.

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For the sweet tooth, here are a few more recipes you might like…

• White Christmas
• Chocolate Chip Banana Brownies
• Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts
• Apple Walnut ANZAC Crumble

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