Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Recipe: Eton Mess

Eton Mess is a classic British dessert consisting of pieces of meringues topped with strawberries and cream. It is traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket game against the pupils of Harrow School. A popular myth is that Eton mess was first created when a meringue dessert was accidentally crushed by a yellow labrador while travelling to picnic at Eton College but what could be salvaged was served as a crushed meringue with strawberries and cream.



While practicing to make the perfect meringues, any broken or less-than-perfect meringues can go into making this delicious dessert. First, the strawberries are hulled and macerated with some sugar to help it release its delicious juices and improves the flavour. If you find yourselves with sour strawberries in future, macerating them will sweeten them considerably.

Macerated strawberries

The cream is whipped to soft peaks and then the macerated strawberries are folded in gently to create a pretty ripple effect. I also garnished the dessert with some halved strawberries and some mint leaves. This is so easy to put together and a crowdpleaser - perfect for parties or any celebrations. This is one beautiful mess which I don't mind having ;)



A Beautiful Mess



Eton mess (Classic British Dessert)
Recipe by Baby Sumo
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Serves 4


Ingredients
150g fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
1/2 tsp caster sugar
80g homemade meringues (about 6 mini meringue nests), or store bought
250ml whipping cream

To garnish
Mint leaves


1. Slice 75% of the strawberries and place in a small bowl. Using the back of your fork, roughly mash the strawberries and then add the sugar and mix well. Leave to macerate for 15 minutes. Cut the remaining strawberries into halves and set aside.

Macerated strawberries


2.  Using your hands, break the meringues into bite-size pieces.

We used homemade meringues, but you can also use store-bought for this dessert


3. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks.
Whipped cream

4.  Pour in the macerated strawberries to the cream and fold a few times, to get the rippled effect.

5. Place the meringues in either glass bowls or wine glasses, then spoon the cream over the meringues.Then garnish with the halved strawberries and mint leaves.









I am submitting this to the "Baby Sumo's Christmas Recipes Collection 2013" event which I am hosting. You can link your recipes here until 31 January 2013.


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21 comments:

  1. Not crazy about strawberries, not easily available here and they're might expensive. Maybe can substitute with kiwi...

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    Replies
    1. Nah... Eton Mess has to be made with strawberries.. or else it would be called something else.

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    2. Must have strawberries and it tastes twice as good if you ignore all the know alls and believe the yellow Labrador started it all!

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  2. This is such a simple and classic dish, looks delicious!

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  3. Yen, still remember that on the 2012's Christmas, both my sister-in-laws made us some very yummy berry Eton Mess. So nice! Love your version of the Eton Mess, is it very challenging to make the meringue?

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    Replies
    1. Jessie, Craig made the last batch of meringues for this dessert. He says it's pretty easy - he just followed the steps exactly and they turned out really good! Here's the recipe again: http://goodyfoodies.blogspot.com/2013/12/recipe-perfect-meringues-with-whipped.html

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  4. Simple and pretty! Drooling... :D

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  5. this looks Delicious with a capital D! i think The Apartment used to have an eton mess on its menu, but it's not something we see much in KL. wish it were on more menus! :D

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  6. I love that no matter how much a mess you make with the components, Eton Mess always works out! :D

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  7. P.S. Not that you made a mess but you know what I mean I hope :P

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  8. Yummy indeed, and so easy to make a mess with meringue and so easy to put the mess together to create a delicious mess, mmmm :P Happy New Year to you!

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  9. Such a lovely fun recipe! My mum makes this one all the time :) exciting news about your recipe event, wish I could come!

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    1. Hi Sarah, the Christmas event is just an online event where we all share our favorite Christmas recipes. You are more than welcome to join in if you have any! :D

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  10. This is one mess that I would love to deal with

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  11. Hi Yen,

    Funny that messy things can be good in a way.... Good that it is delicious and help not to waste the imperfect meringues :D

    Zoe

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  12. Your macerated strawberries look perfect! Love a good eaton mess- mmm...

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  13. This looks simply but refreshingly delicious!

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