Spring has arrived and to celebrate here is a lovely and simple pavlova recipe which will also give you the opportunity to use those early spring mangoes which are starting to arrive. Adding vinegar and cream of tartar to the meringue mixture helps give pavlova a crisp crust and marshmallow centre. A range of other ingredients can be used to decorate it, including peeled, sliced kiwifruit, banana slices, fresh berries, grated chocolate and finely chopped Cherry Ripe or Peppermint Crisp bars.

PAVLOVA

  • Serves: 6
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Cooking time: 90 minutes
  • Special equipment: baking tray, baking paper, electric mixer, metal spoon, serving platter
  • Nutrition: good source of protein, high in saturated fat
  • Skills: whisking

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) cornflour
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) cream of tartar
  • 1 1/3 cup (335g) caster sugar
  • 3 teaspoons (15g) cornflour
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) white vinegar
  • 1 cup (250ml) thickened cream
  • 2 passionfruit and 1 mango to serve

METHOD

  • 01 Preheat oven to 110ºC (90°c fan-forced). Line baking tray with baking paper, marking it with a 24cm circle. Sprinkle paper with 1 teaspoon cornflour.
  • 02 Place egg whites and cream of tartar in bowl of electric mixer and beat until soft peaks form.
  • 03 Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until sugar has dissolved and mixture is thick and glossy.
  • 04 Add remaining cornflour, vanilla and vinegar and fold through with a metal spoon.
  • 05 Pile meringue mixture on to the baking paper, using circle marking as a guide.
  • 06 Place in oven and cook for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours, or until firm and crisp with no sign of browning.
  • 07 Turn off oven, open door and allow pavlova to cool in oven.
  • 08 Just before serving beat cream until thick. Remove pulp from passionfruit and peel and chop mango.
  • 09 Spread whipped cream over cooled pavlova and decorate with passionfruit pulp and peeled and chopped mango.
  • 10 To serve, slide pavlova on to a large serving platter and cut into wedges.