Mega Berry Pavlova with Lemon Curd & Fresh Mint

Ingredients

GF

2 hrs (plus cooling time)

10-12

Meringues

• 300ml egg whites (roughly 8 large eggs)
• 2 ½  cups castor sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

Lemon / Passionfruit Curd

• 8 egg yolks
• 1 cup raw castor sugar
• 4 lemons, zest & juice (250ml) or 250ml of passionfruit pulp
• 170g unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy free option)

Vanilla Cream (or for a DF option a thick vanilla coconut yoghurt)

• 600ml pure cream
• 250g mascarpone, thick vanilla custard or thick greek yoghurt
• 1 tbs vanilla extract, paste or powder

Toppings - for Mega Berry Pavlova

• 250g fresh strawberries, sliced
• 250g fresh blueberries
• 250g fresh raspberries
• 250g fresh blackberries
• 1 small bunch fresh mint
• Freeze dried strawberries or raspberries (optional)

Toppings - for Mango Passionfruit Pavlova

• 1 large fresh mango, sliced
• Pulp of 2 x passionfruit
• Zest of 1 lime
• Toasted coconut for sprinkling

Toppings - for Mango, Raspberry & Passionfruit Pavalova

• 1 large fresh mango, sliced
• 250g fresh raspberries
• Pulp of 4 x fresh passionfruit

Method

Meringue

1. Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees Celsius / 300 Fahrenheit (fan-forced oven).
2. Whip the egg whites on medium speed in a large clean bowl using a stand mixer or hand beaters.
3. Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form (2-3 minutes).
4. Gradually add the sugar to the egg whites (whipping the whole time) by adding 1 tablespoon at a time, waiting 20-30 seconds between each addition.
5. Once all the sugar is incorporated whip the mixture on medium speed for 6 minutes.
6. Next, add the lemon juice or vinegar and beat for a further 3-4 minutes.
7. The final egg white mixture should be really thick and glossy. When you rub the mixture between your fingers there shouldn't be any grit from the sugar. If there is, whip the mixture for a few more minutes to ensure all of the sugar has dissolved.
8. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
9. Scoop the meringue into a large mound in the centre of the tray.
10. Shape the meringue into a round shape on the tray and spread out lightly with a spatula.
11. Using the spatula around the outside of the meringue, create sweeping up motions to create a rounded and tall edge.
12. Place the tray into the preheated oven and lower the temperature to 110 degrees Celsius / 230 Fahrenheit (fan-forced oven).
13. Bake for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
14. Turn the oven off and leave the meringue in the oven with the door closed to completely cool. This step is very important, don't be tempted to remove the meringue any earlier.  Leaving it overnight is a great way to ensure its completely cooled. Otherwise, 4-5 hours should be enough.
15. Remove the meringue from the oven once it is cool.

Curd

1. While the meringue is cooking, let’s make the curd. This is a great way to use the egg yolks that may otherwise go to waste!
2. In a medium saucepan whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice (or passion fruit pulp).
3. Stir continuously over medium heat until the mixture becomes thick.
4. Add the chopped butter (or coconut oil) and stir to combine and until it’s all melted and well incorporated.
5. Set aside to cool.

To Assemble

1. Whip the cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form - whip on a low to medium speed or by hand, ensuring the cream stays smooth and doesn’t curdle.
2. Fold the mascarpone (or vanilla custard or thick yoghurt) into the whipped cream.
3. Dollop the vanilla cream over the meringue.
4. Top with the fresh berries, curd, mint and crushed freeze-dried berries (optional) -OR- the fresh mango, passionfruit curd, fresh passion fruit, coconut and lime zest -OR- the fresh mango, passionfruit curd, fresh raspberries, and fresh passionfruit. Enjoy! x