Eton Mess

Eton Mess

Eton Mess is a dessert of English origin consisting of a mixture of strawberries, pieces of meringue and cream, which is traditionally served at Eton College’s annual cricket game against the students of Winchester College.  The dish has been known by this name since the 19^th century.  A similar dessert is the Lancing mess, served throughout the year at Lancing College in West Sussex, England.  The word mess refers to the appearance of the dish.

INGREDIENTS

1 Pound Fresh Strawberries

1 Pint Double Whipping Cream

Icing Sugar

12 Meringue Nests (Purchase in a Store)

Keep the ingredients in the refrigerator until needed as this is a dessert best served cool.  Break up the meringues into bite sized irregular chunks.  Forget baking your own meringues, it is far too much trouble and the store bought ones are as good quality as home baked meringues. 

Remove the strawberry stalks and cut them in half or into thick slices if they are large.  Place half of the cut strawberries and all of the icing sugar into a blender and blend for 20 seconds to make a puree.  Whip the cream until it starts to thicken, but hasn’t turned solid.  Add the meringues to a large bowl and pour in the cream & the strawberries.  Add half of the puree and stir it all together gently with a spoon.  The goal is to get a red and white marbled effect rather than a pink all over color.  Spoon into serving dishes and drizzle over the remaining strawberry puree.  Keep refrigerated until serving.  Serves 4