Pavlova

[Seaweed]

I need to make a pav for xmas. Except I have never made one before. the ex hated them so I just never got around to it. Anyone know how? Any good tips ? I also want it to be crunchy without being burnt if that is possible.

[ZGT Mummy]

I used to make beautiful pavlovas in my former life (before kids with egg allergies!). I always used the recipe in the Edmonds cookbook. I can't really remember anything special except make sure you don't get a single tiny little speck of yolk in there otherwise you'll never get stiff peaks, make sure you beat long enough to get a nice stiff consistency and make sure the oven isn't too hot.

Oh I'm soooo jealous! I'd love to have a pav with lashings of whipped cream, strawberries and kiwifruit! Sigh, one day.......

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

Nope. My pavs turn out worse than dog chews.

[Serephina]

My mum makes the absolute best pavs - crunchy on the outside and lovely soft meringue in the centre. My first and only attempt resembled a frisbee. I suspect I spread it out on the dish too much before baking.

I just leave it to the expert these days ;)

[Seaweed]

I just leave it to the expert these days ;) Can you send her my way then? :giggle:or ask her what she does. I can find no one IRL who can make pavs either!

[Momtezuma Tuatara]

I comfort myself with the belief that because they are bad for me, it's best that mine are worse than dog chews...

[Serephina]

Can you send her my way then? :giggle:or ask her what she does. I can find no one IRL who can make pavs either!

I think this recipe (http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=782794) is pretty similar to what my mum does.

She doesn't use baking paper, but piles the beaten egg whites directly onto a wet pavlova plate. Don't make the mistake I made and try to flatten the mixture out too much as the mixture spreads a lot when in the oven. Also try to handle the beaten egg white as little as possible - don't fiddle with it as it will knock the air out.

And lastly, do not even attempt to make a pav in humid weather as it only end in tears (and soggy pav) ;)

[Seaweed]

:giggle:I know it is supposed to be summer but I doubt it will get warm enuf to wear a tshirt when I make this! Now the question is can I make it with honey? I will probably end up with dog chews like MT so I should probably just use sugar.

[Serephina]

I wouldn't even attempt it with honey. I don't think it would rise properly and the texture would be different.

[Seaweed]

finally i found a pav recipe which works. omg it was awesome. it was grandma taylor's recipe.
here
http://www.kiwiwise.co.nz/recipe/grandma-taylors-pavlova-recipe
i used balsamic vinegar and demarara sugar but followed the recipe exactly otherwise. including the 10 minutes of beating. and it was awesome and crunchy.