Eton Mess

Eton Mess (strawberry and meringue dessert) is a classic English summer sweet: crisp meringue, fresh strawberries and soft whipped cream loosely folded together.

Meringue

1. Beat the egg whites into a stiff foam in a completely clean, grease-free bowl – a single drop of yolk or fat prevents them from whipping.

2. Gradually add the icing sugar spoon by spoon, and keep beating until you get a glossy, stiff foam that holds peaks.

3. Spoon small mounds of it onto baking paper, then at 100 °C for about 1.5 hours dry it rather than bake it. After switching off, leave it in the oven to cool completely.

Layering

4. Mash half the strawberries coarsely with a fork, and quarter the other half.

5. Whip the whipping cream with the sugar into a stiff foam.

6. Break the cooled meringue into rough pieces by hand, then fold it loosely together with the strawberries and the whipped cream in a few movements. Layer it into glasses and serve immediately.

Tip: Its name means "mess" – do not stir it smooth, the layers and the crisp pieces give it its character. Assemble it only before serving, or the meringue goes soft.