Eton mess

Eton mess, tastes delicious, a weekend treat

For years I struggled to make the meringue case for a Pavlova, the dessert of meringue, raspberries, strawberries and fresh whipped cream,that was made especially for the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova. Now there is no need, hurray,because on menus in Britain you will often find a dessert called Eton mess.

It is named after Eton College the famous Public school near Windsor. Eton mess is more or less a Pavlova in a mess . I wonder if the boys messed their Pavlova's around and so someone had this great idea.

Here is the recipe

Homemade or good quality shop- bought meringues,3 or 4 per person

4 punnets of raspberries or strawberries or a mixture of both

3 tablespoons of brandy - optional

200ml double cream - whipped

Icing sugar- sifted
almonds- optional

Reserve a few raspberries or strawberries for decoration, roughly chop up the remainder, put into a bowl and sprinkle over the icing sugar and brandy if using.

Chill for 1-2 hours. Carefully fold together with the whipped cream. Crush the meringues and fold into the strawberry mixture. Pile into an attractive dish and decorate with the reserved raspberries or strawberries.

Cream, raspberries and meringues,

a pretty bowl makes it look more appealing