Recipe for "pavlova-2"

NAME

     PAVLOVA-2 - Pavlova (Australian meringue dessert)

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6-8)

     4         egg whites (from large eggs)
     250 g     castor sugar
     5 ml      cornflour
     5 ml      vinegar
     5 ml      vanilla flavour

PROCEDURE

          (1)  Preheat oven to 120 deg. C.
          (2)  With an electric mixer beat the egg  whites  until
               soft  peaks  form,  then  gradually add the sugar.
               Beat until firm.
          (3)  Add the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla.  When com-
               bined,  turn  out  onto  a flat tray that has been
               greased and dusted with cornflour.  Try a circular
               shape  with  slightly more mixture at the edges so
               that it may be served by placing  goodies  in  its
               centre depression.
          (4)  Cook in a pre-heated, cool (120 deg. C)  oven  for
               one  hour.   When cooked, turn the oven off, leave
               the oven door slightly ajar,  and  allow  to  cool
               slowly  in  the  oven.  This slow cooling works to
               prevent the loss of too much height.
          (5)  Serve cold, with whipped  cream  and  fresh  fruit
               pieces, strawberries and kiwi fruit for example.

NOTES

     Cornflour is known in North America  as  cornstarch.  Castor
     sugar is known there as granulated sugar.
     Make sure that you start off with a clean bowl and beat  the
     egg  whites  well.   A bowl with smooth sides (glass, metal)
     will help  the  eggs  to  whip  up.   A  plastic  bowl  with
     scratches prevents the eggs from attaining a very light tex-
     ture.  Also ensure that the sugar is fully dissolved  before
     going  on  to  the next step. I have never had troubles from
     over-whipping.  The final texture should be meringue on  the
     inside with a thin crust on the outside.

RATING

     Difficulty: moderate.  Time: 30 minutes preparation, 1  hour
     cooking,   1   hour   cooling.    Precision:   Measure   the
     ingredients.

CONTRIBUTOR

     Alex Patison          UUCP: {pyrcorp,sun}!pta!alex
     Pyramid  Technology  Australia        ACSNET: alex@pta.oz