Il Cucinologo
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Strawberry Pavlova

17/11/2023

Strawberry Pavlova is an elegant and refined dessert of Australian or New Zealand origin - its paternity is still a matter of debate - with a name that pays homage to the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Pavlova is essentially a meringue that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, usually accompanied by whipped cream and fresh fruit. Here is the recipe enriched with an Italian touch which could be the addition of a dusting of grated lemon zest to flavor the cream.

Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites
  • 220 g granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 250 ml fresh whipping cream
  • 30 g powdered sugar
  • 250 g fresh strawberries
  • Grated lemon zest (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 120 °C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks, then gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to whip until you obtain a glossy and firm meringue.
  3. Gently add vinegar, vanilla, and cornstarch to the meringue, incorporating them with slow and delicate movements so as not to deflate it.
  4. Arrange the meringue on the parchment paper creating a circle about 20 cm in diameter, forming a slightly higher border in the center where you will then place the cream and strawberries.
  5. Bake the meringue and cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes or until it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Turn off the oven and let the meringue cool inside with the door slightly open to avoid temperature changes that could cause cracks.
  6. Whip the cream with the powdered sugar until you obtain a foamy and firm consistency. If you like, add a bit of grated lemon zest for an aromatic touch.
  7. Wash and cut the strawberries in half or into slices.
  8. Once the meringue has cooled, arrange the whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top.
  9. Serve the Pavlova immediately to enjoy the contrast between the crispy meringue and the soft cream.

Trivia

Despite its simplicity, Pavlova is a dessert that allows for many variations, for example by adding other types of fruit, such as kiwi, passion fruit or berries, or flavoring it with citrus zest or different flavors in the meringue or cream. Furthermore, Pavlova is often decorated with dollops of cream and fruit in a scenic way for a surprising visual impact.