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Authentic Eton Mess Recipe
Eton, England
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We strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though
Introduction & history
Refreshing and delicious, yet so simple to make, Eton Mess is a traditional British dessert known worldwide. Around for over a century, the dessert has seen many variations; however, the traditional recipe remains fairly uncomplicated. The treat is made out of strawberries, whipped cream, egg whites, and sugar. Egg whites and sugar are mixed together in a bowl, then dropped in even amounts onto a baking tray. Once baked, the meringue has to cool down completely, preferably overnight, before it is ready to be broken into smaller pieces. Strawberries are washed, hulled, and chopped, then, together with the meringue, folded into whipped cream. There are numerous variations on the original recipe, including the use of different types of fruit (blueberries, pomegranate, passion fruit, oranges, and more) and flavorings, such as chocolate, rosewater, and mint. The treat is usually served in glass serving cups or a bigger serving dish.
Cooking tips
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preparation
The meringues must be made ahead, at least a few hours or even the day before, so they have enough time to cool down completely. The whipped cream and the strawberries can also be prepared a few hours before serving time. -
storage
Once all the ingredients are mixed together, the dessert should be eaten that same day, because if stored, the meringue will start to soften pretty quickly. -
meringue
If you are in a hurry or simply not in the mood for baking meringue, you can opt for a store-bought version. Store-bought meringue nests save time and make this dessert even faster to prepare. -
fruit
When feeling inspired, you can replace the strawberries with different fruit. For example, you can use coconut, raspberries, blueberries, pomegranate, passion, fruit, or redcurrants. Some berries, like redcurrants or gooseberries, might need a bit more sugar or cooking into a rough compote before use. -
flavorings
For more adult versions of the dessert, add some alcohol to the mixture. Triple sec or Crème de cassis go nicely with strawberries, while rum fits perfectly with bananas. You can also try adding some spices to the whipped cream – for example, pair black pepper with strawberries and crushed cardamom, cinnamon, or nutmeg with bananas.
Recipe variations
Jamie Oliver's Eton Mess
PREP 20min
COOK 1h 10min
READY IN 1h 30min
If you are up for some more complex Eton Mess recipes, this one is for you. Adapted from Jamie Oliver's website (www.jamieoliver.com), this recipe gives a modern twist to the old-school classic by adding some chocolate, mixed berries, and hazelnuts.
Ingredients
Jamie Oliver's Eton Mess
6 large free-range egg whites
300g golden caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 big pinch of sea salt
500 g mixed fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 splash of balsamic vinegar
1 vanilla pod
250 ml double cream
1 tablespoon icing sugar
250 g fat-free Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons hazelnuts, optional
Preparation
1
Jamie Oliver's Eton Mess
Step 1/6
Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl using a mixer (medium speed) until stiff peaks are formed. Gradually start to add salt and caster sugar, all the while mixing. Beat at high speed until white and glossy (7-8 mins).
Step 2/6
Preheat the oven to 130℃. Place the greaseproof paper onto 2 large baking trays, then split the mixture and spread it across the trays (remember to leave a 3 cm gap around the edges). Bake the meringues for 1hr 10mins and then leave them to cool.
Step 3/6
Cut larger strawberries if necessary. In a bowl, mix berries, 1 teaspoon of caster sugar, vinegar, and vanilla bean paste. Stir the mixture well, then leave it aside to soak.
Step 4/6
Add cream and icing sugar into a large bowl, then scrape out vanilla pod seeds and put them in as well. Whip until soft peaks are formed then fold in some Greek yogurt.
Step 5/6
If you are using hazelnuts, toast them in a frying pan until they turn golden. Lightly crush them in a pestle and mortar. Now melt the chocolate in a pan over low heat.
Step 6/6
Spread half of the vanilla cream over one of the meringues. Add half of everything – berries, melted chocolate, and nuts. Place the other meringue on top and repeat the process with the remaining ingredients. Serve and enjoy.
Other Variations
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