pavlova

Ever since I saw Ina Garten make a berry pavlova on her Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa, I've fantasized about making one myself. The episode debuted in 2006 and here I am three years later, finally making the recipe! A pavlova is a dessert consisting of a meringue disk filled with whipped cream and chopped fruit.

Although it requires time and patience, the recipe is rather simple. The three components are made separately and then are combined just before serving. Ina's pavlova includes blueberries, but I subbed in cherries — feel free to use your favorite fruit.

The final dessert is sophisticated, scrumptious, and ideal for Summer entertaining. The outside of the meringue is crisp, while the inside is pillowy and marshmallow-like. The whipped sweetened cream forms a fluffy cushion for the perfectly ripe plump berries. To get started with your own pavlova you'll need the recipe so, read more

When I heard that today was the day famous prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, died in 1931 I thought it was high time I try and make the dessert that was named after her: the pavlova (wouldn't it just be so cool to have a dessert named after you?! The only thing better would be having a Marc Jacobs designed handbag named after you. I'll settle for either!). The history behind the dessert is full of conflict: both Australia and New Zealand claim they invented the meringue cake with fresh fruit garnish. It was named after the ballerina because she was performing in the area at the time of its initial creation. The outside of the cake is crisp meringue, the inside gooey marshmallow, and the top decadently covered with whipped cream and fresh fruit. To make the pavlova in honor of Pavlova, read more