Recipe: Eton Mess

Eton Mess is a classic British dessert consisting of pieces of meringues topped with strawberries and cream. It is traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket game against the pupils of Harrow School. A popular myth is that Eton mess was first created when a meringue dessert was accidentally crushed by a yellow labrador while travelling to picnic at Eton College but what could be salvaged was served as a crushed meringue with strawberries and cream.

While practicing to make the perfect meringues, any broken or less-than-perfect meringues can go into making this delicious dessert. First, the strawberries are hulled and macerated with some sugar to help it release its delicious juices and improves the flavour. If you find yourselves with sour strawberries in future, macerating them will sweeten them considerably.

Macerated strawberries

The cream is whipped to soft peaks and then the macerated strawberries are folded in gently to create a pretty ripple effect. I also garnished the dessert with some halved strawberries and some mint leaves. This is so easy to put together and a crowdpleaser - perfect for parties or any celebrations. This is one beautiful mess which I don't mind having ;)

A Beautiful Mess

Eton mess (Classic British Dessert)
Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Serves 4


Ingredients
150g fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
1/2 tsp caster sugar
80g homemade meringues (about 6 mini meringue nests), or store bought
250ml whipping cream

To garnish
Mint leaves


1. Slice 75% of the strawberries and place in a small bowl. Using the back of your fork, roughly mash the strawberries and then add the sugar and mix well. Leave to macerate for 15 minutes. Cut the remaining strawberries into halves and set aside.

Macerated strawberries

2.  Using your hands, break the meringues into bite-size pieces.

We used homemade meringues, but you can also use store-bought for this dessert

3. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks.

Whipped cream

4.  Pour in the macerated strawberries to the cream and fold a few times, to get the rippled effect.

5. Place the meringues in either glass bowls or wine glasses, then spoon the cream over the meringues.Then garnish with the halved strawberries and mint leaves.

I am submitting this to the "Baby Sumo's Christmas Recipes Collection 2013" event which I am hosting. You can link your recipes here until 31 January 2013.


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