My N Z Pavlova

Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 6 egg whites
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons water
• 12 ounces caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 3 tablespoons cornflour

Recipe

• 1 prepare a baking sheet by greasing lightly with butter and placing on it a sheet of tinfoil or baking paper. grease the tinfoil and then shake on a few drops of cold water and smear around leaving a thin film of water.
• 2 beat egg whites, salt and cold water until stiff with an electric mixer in large bowl.
• 3 while still beating add the castor sugar very slowly a tablespoonful at a time and keep beating between additions. this takes time so don't hurry this step.
• 4 when all sugar has been added beat in the vinegar and the vanilla.
• 5 remove beaters and with a metal tablespoon fold in with cutting movements the cornflour.
• 6 with a spatula scoop mix onto baking sheet and form into a circle about 8" in diameter but keeping the mix fairly high. form a slight dent in the top if liked or keep flat.
• 7 place tray in the centre of a 350'f oven and bake for 10mins.
• 8 after 10mins lower heat to 300'f and then after another 10mins lower heat to 250'f and continue baking for 1hr.
• 9 do not open oven door while cooking.
• 10 when time is up turn oven off and open door slightly and leave pavlova to cool in oven.
• 11 when completely cold top with freshly whipped cream and decorate with fruit of choice or grated chocolate.
• 12 another idea is to fill centre with either lemon curd (made from the yolks) or chocolate mousse. then pipe rosettes of cream around the edge of filling. i have also used instant puddings for the filling made with half milk & half cream to give a thicker mix and then decorated with fruit to match flavour.
• 13 note: if it looks like rain don't make! it has something to do with the atmosphere!
• 14 pavlova can be made 1-2 days before or the morning of the day required. then topped on the day 4-6 hours before required.
• 15 variations:.
• 16 pavlova with almonds; sprinkle with flaked almonds before baking.
• 17 coffee pavlova; add either 1 tbsp coffee essence or 2 teasp instant coffee powder when adding the sugar. top with brandy or kahlua flavoured whipped cream.