Pavlova

Recipe courtesy of Apples to Zucchini Cooking School

Ingredients:

Meringue shell:

• 4 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Whipped cream:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar

Assembly:

• Seasonal fruit, to taste
• Herbs, optional, to taste
• Note: you can flavor your whipped cream by adding extracts or infuse it with teas or herbs

Directions:

Meringue:

1. Preheat oven to 275F and position a rack in the center.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Draw a 7" circle on the foil with the blunt edge of a knife without tearing foil. Set aside.
3. In a clean, medium metal bowl or in a clean stand mixer fitted with a clean whisk attachment, beat 4 large egg whites (at room temperature) on medium speed until the whites form soft peaks.
4. Gently sprinkle 1 cup caster sugar into the egg whites, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating continuously until the whites form stiff, glossy peaks.
5. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon white vinegaron the meringue and fold in gently with a plastic spatula.
6. Gently fold 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract into the mixture.
7. Spread the meringue in the circle on the foil to make a circular base. Make sure the edges of the meringue are slightly higher than the center, so you have a shallow well in the middle.
8. Bake the meringue until it turns a very pale, pinkish eggshell color, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
9. Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely. As the meringue cools, it will crack slightly. 
10. Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely. As the meringue cools, it will crack slightly.
11. Just before serving, take the meringue out of the oven and gently transfer it from the foil to a plate.

Whipped cream:

1. While the meringue is cooling, whip the cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until use.

Assembly:

1. Right before serving, frost pavlova with whipped cream and top with fruit and herbs, if using.