JESSIE’S PAVLOVA

Ingredients.....6 egg whites at room temperature, a pinch of salt, 250gm of castor sugar, 1 tsp of white vinegar, 1 dsp of cornflour, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 125gm of icing sugar. Preheat your oven to 150 deg C. Lightly spray and line a baking sheet (tray) with baking paper. Beat the 6 egg whites, a pinch of salt and the castor sugar, until peaks are glossy and stiff. Mix together the icing sugar and cornflour and sprinkle over along with the vanilla extract and vinegar and fold in. Spread the meringue on the prepared oven tray in a circular tray. Make a slight well in the centre. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes , until a pale eggshell colour. Turn the oven off, but DO NOT REMOVE THE MERINGUE FROM THE OVEN . Open the oven door very slightly and allow the meringue to cool in the oven. Expect cracks. Carefully remove the meringue to a serving plate and then fill with whipped cream and your favoutite fruit fillings. Sometimes I grate flake or peppermint crisp over the filling. In memory of Jessie Mersey, the lady who shared her love of family and food with me, never forgotten.