Strawberry Pavlova

 This is my favorite dessert. It will WOW your company but it's really quite easy. And it's not just for summer! Depending on the season, you could top the cream with poached pears and a caramel drizzle, winter citrus, or roasted rhubarb. If you'd rather make individual sized ones you can find the steps here.

Adapted from Nigella Lawson

For the meringue:
4 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 ¼ cup (250g) superfine sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp white-wine vinegar
A few drops vanilla extract

For the topping:
1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp good balsamic vinegar
2 tsp superfine sugar
2 cups heavy cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and draw a circle on the paper using an 8- or 9- inch cake pan as a guide. Flip the parchment over so the pencil marking is facing down.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg whites and salt. Begin beating at low speed, slowly increasing to high. Continue until satiny peaks begin to form. Gradually beat in the sugar a tablespoon at a time until it is stiff and shiny.

3. Sprinkle in the cornstarch, white-wine vinegar and vanilla, and fold in gently. Mound the meringue onto the parchment within the circle. Using a spatula shape the mound into a disk, flattening the top and smoothing the sides. 

4. Place in the oven, and immediately reduce the heat to 300°F. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off the oven, and allow the meringue to cool completely in the oven.

5. To prepare the topping: in a mixing bowl, combine the strawberries, vanilla, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.

6. Whip the cream until thick enough to hold peaks.

7. To serve, peel off the parchment and place the meringue on a platter or cake stand. Gently crack the top with the back of a spoon to make a shallow nest. Spoon the whipped cream evenly over the meringue. Top with the strawberries, allowing a small amount of their liquid to dribble onto the cream. Serve immediately.