Pavlova Strawberries - Valentine's Day Special

Self cooking photograph

Meringue:
egg whites	4
sugar	1 cup
vanilla essence	few drops
Topping:
whipped cream	2 cups
strawberries	750g
sugar	2tbsp + 1tsp
Method:
Heat oven to 150 C.
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Draw 10 inch circle or 2 circles of 5 inches each.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites at full speed until foamy.
Gradually add sugar (1tbsp at a time).
Beat at high speed until stiff and glossy peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved.
(around 6 minutes)
Stir in vanilla drops; mix lightly.
Spoon meringue onto circle on paper building upsides with the back of the spoon.
Reduce the heat to 120 C.
Place it in the oven on the top rack.
Bake for 2 hours to 2-1/2 hours or until form and dry in and out.
(If you don’t want crispy from inside then cook it for only 2 hours)
Remove from oven; cool completely.
Carefully remove paper and place it on a serving dish.
Separately whip cream with 2tbsp of sugar until fluffy; set aside.
Fill top with whipped cream in the center and arrange fruit mixture on top.
Strawberries:
Cut strawberries into small chunks.
Add strawberries chunks and 1tsp of sugar in a sauce pan.
Cook it on a high flame to make a thick syrup.
(Note: I prefer not to mash strawberries).
Pour strawberries mixture over the whipped cream.
Keep it in the fridge.
Serve cold.
Serves 6 to 8.

Almond Blancmange

Self cooking photograph

blanched almonds	1/2 cup, chopped
egg yolks	4
caster sugar	1/2 cup
milk	1-1/2 cup
gelatin powder	3tsp-heaped
whipped cream	1 cup
toasted almonds to decorate
Method:
In a bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and mousse like.
In a saucepan, add milk and bring it to boiling point.
Now add milk into egg mixture and beat well.
In another small bowl, add 1/2 cup of water and gelatin powder; stir well.
Put this small bowl in a large saucepan of hot water.
Keep stirring gelatin until dissolved and then stir into the milk mixture.
Cook for few minutes; stir continuously.
Give few boils on high flame till thick.
In a separate bowl, whip cream lightly.
When milk mixture is on the point of setting; stir in chopped almonds.
Now fold this mixture in lightly whipped cream.
Decorate with toasted almonds if you like.
Keep it in the fridge until cold.
Serve cold.
Serves 6.