Strawberry Raspberry Eton Mess Recipes

STRAWBERRY ETON MESS FOR MOTHER'S DAY

Steps:

• Combine strawberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, balsamic and raspberry vinegars, and basil in a bowl. Let sit until strawberries have released their juices and absorbed all the flavors, at least 15 minutes.
• Whip heavy cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar gradually, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. Add sour cream and cream cheese and mix until evenly blended.
• Sprinkle some sugar into a heavy saucepan until the bottom of the pan is covered with a thin layer. Cook over medium heat and as sugar starts to melt, sprinkle in a little more. Cook and stir until sugar is caramelized and amber in color. Stir in almonds. Remove from the heat and pour onto a sheet of parchment paper. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and use a rolling pin to roll it into a thin layer. Allow to cool, then break into pieces.
• Place some marinated strawberries in the bottom of 4 serving dishes. Layer with cream and top with crushed meringues. Continue layers all the way to the top of the dishes, garnishing the top with caramelized almond pieces, more meringues, and strawberries.

STRAWBERRY ETON MESS

Steps:

• Transfer the meringue cookies to a large, resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to lightly crush the cookies. (You should have pieces of varying sizes.)
• Trim the berries, discarding the greens. Halve or quarter 1 pound of the strawberries; add to a medium bowl. Blend or mash the remaining 1/2 pound strawberries until you have a chunky purée. Add the strawberry purée, lime zest, lime juice and 2 to 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar to the chopped strawberries and toss to coat. (The better the strawberries, the less sugar you'll need.)
• In a large bowl, beat the cream with 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high until whipped cream holds stiff peaks. Fold the crumbled meringue into the whipped cream.
• Starting and ending with the strawberry mixture, layer it with the cream mixture in individual serving dishes (preferably clear cups, bowls or jars), creating as many layers as you like. Serve immediately.

PERSIMMON, RASPBERRY, AND POMEGRANATE ETON MESS

Steps:

• Remove the leafy tops from the persimmons, slice the flesh, and add to a large bowl. Crush the raspberries lightly with a fork and add these to the bowl with the pomegranate seeds. Stir gently to combine.
• Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until firm peaks form. Fold in meringue and stir gently.
• Spoon some of the fruit mixture into 4 decorative glasses. Layer the cream and meringue mixture on top, alternating with the fruit mixture. Make sure you reserve a little fruit for the top, then serve.