Christmas has come around so fast, like it always does, and is only 5 days away now. I really love the modern Christmas of today, and how every year new ideas and traditions are created. Although we still love the classics of Christmas, we longer stick to them so rigidly. So if you don't fancy Christmas pudding after your dinner this year, you can turn to practically any other type of dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your family and friends. I think this pavlova does just that! It incorporates traditional flavours of Christmas like fresh orange and spicy ginger, but it also creates a stunning centerpiece for any Christmas dinner table.
I started by making the meringue. First things first, weigh your egg whites. I used 180g egg white, this is approximately 6 large eggs. If you're left with egg yolks, check out some ways to use it up here. Or you can now buy egg white on it's own in a carton from Two Chicks. I set it whisking in my mixer along with 1 tsp cream of tartar until stiff peaks formed - you know this has happened when you can tip the bowl upside down without it falling out.
The reason you weigh the egg whites is so your can double the weight of your sugar. I used 180g caster sugar and 180g light brown soft sugar. I added 90g of each sugar into the mixer after the stiff peaks had formed and while it was still mixing. I also added 2 tsp ground ginger.
I then folded the remaining sugar into the meringue using a spatula.
I arranged the meringue into a circular shape on a lined baking tray. I made it flat in the center and more textured around the edges.
I baked the meringue on 120C for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Then left it to cool completely.
I whipped up 300ml double cream and spread it in the middle. I sprinkled over 3 crushed up ginger nut bisuits.
I then added some orange zest, slices of orange with the rind cut off and these gorgeous dark chocolate pearls from the Chocolate Trading Co.
How's that for a showstopper?! I was so pleased with how it turned out and the final look after deocrating.
The pavlova is best eaten straight away and I had some friends round who were happy to help! The meringue is sweet and spicy, the orange is juicy and fresh, and the chocolate and biscuits add texture amongst the soft cream. It really is a heavenly dessert. Happy Christmas everyone!
I'm entering this into Simply Eggcellent hosted by Belleau Kitchen where this month anything goes.
And into Credit Crunch Munch hosted by Fab Food 4 All as I used leftover egg whites that I had frozen when I made custard with the yolks a few months ago.
And into the No Waste Food Challenge ran by Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary and this month hosted by Jen's Food for the same reason.
