Named after the dominant private school in the UK, this dessert is what several kings, princes, aristocrats and prime ministers would have eaten in their youth. So, for those who ever wondered what the kids at Hogwarts-like boarding schools would have eaten (sans the magic, of course), the answer is a mish-mash of meringue, cream, and strawberries. It’s easy to make (all ingredients can be found in the pantry, or, for those short of time, all components can be bought readymade) and fun to eat.

I NGREDIENTS

• 2 large egg whites
• 120g caster sugar
• 500g strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 250ml double cream
• 1 tbsp. icing sugar

METHOD

(If meringues are ready made, skip to step 5)

1. Heat the oven to 120C/100C fan/gas mark 1 and line a large baking tray with parchment paper
2. Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl (preferably with an electric whisk) until they reach stiff peaks.
3. Add the castor sugar in three lots, re-whisking to stiff peaks each time.
4. Dollop spoons of mixture onto the baking tray, and bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for 1hr-1hr15 (or until the meringues are completely hard and come off the paper easily). Leave to cool.
5. Blitz 1/3 of the strawberries to make a strawberry sauce.
6. In a large bowl, whisk the cream with the icing sugar until it holds its shape.
7. Roughly crush the meringues.
8. Stir the chopped strawberries and 3/4 of the crushed meringues into the cream. Then fold in the strawberry sauce.
9. Place the mix into serving bowls, topping with the remaining crushed meringues.

NOTE

This is a classic Eton Mess; substitutions can be made to suit dietary requirements and taste. For example, flavours can be added to the cream, or different fruits can be used.

Best,

Lessia