With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought I’d share something special to make for mom. It’s so much fun to whip up, she would probably enjoy making it with you! Some of my fondest memories are being in the kitchen with my mother, just hanging out and cooking, enjoying carefree, casual, ordinary moments together.
There is something so satisfying about whipping eggs whites into fluffy white clouds. If you’ve never tried it, I promise you will love it. These little Mini Pavlovas (or meringues) are topped with a dollop of lemon scented whipped cream and fresh strawberries, fresh rhubarb and mint. If you’ve never tried young rhubarb, in its fresh raw uncooked state, you are truly in for a treat. I was a sceptic at first too, concerned over its extreme tartness, but trust me, it’s really refreshing lovely in this. Of course, you can always use a variety of fresh summer berries, but to me, the rhubarb gives it a such a unique flavor.
Use room temperature eggs or place in warm water for 10 minutes.
Whipped egg whites…so heavenly.
Slice young rhubarb stocks thinly.
Macerate strawberries and rhubarb with a little sugar, add mint right before serving.
Either place a dollop of meringue with a “well” in the middle, or use a piping bag to pipe 2 ½ inch rounds, building up the edges. Place in the oven until crisp.
Once they are crisp and cooled, place on a tray or plate and top with whipped cream.
Then top with the fresh strawberry rhubarb mixture, spooning juices over top. Serve immediately!
Enjoy your lovely creation!
To all the mothers around the world, new mothers and seasoned veterans, grandmothers and great grandmothers and those who continue to live on through us — thank you.
Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlovas w/ Mint and Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream
A light and airy mini pavlova topped with meyer lemon whipped cream and Fresh strawberries, rhubarb and mint.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 mins
- Yield: 28
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 4 extra large eggs- at room temperature
- pinch salt
- ¾ Cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- Whipped Cream
- 1 pint ( 2 Cups) heavy whipping cream
- ½ Cup Sugar
- meyer lemon zest ( fine zest ) – optional
- Strawberry Rhubarb Topping
- 1 Cup finely sliced fresh rhubarb
- 3 Cups quartered strawberries
- ⅛-¼ Cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Meyer lemon zest and 1 Tablespoon Meyer lemon juice ( optional)
- 1-2 Tablespoons finely sliced mint (fresh)
Instructions
- Please allow 1-2 hours for cooling time.
- Pre heat oven to 275 F
- Place egg whites and pinch of salt in the clean bowl of a stand mixer, and with whisk attachment, whip on medium high speed until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Gradually add sugar, whisking it in a Tablespoon or two at a time, until sugar completely dissolves and sugar grains disappear. Whisk until smooth and stiff glossy peaks form. Whisk in vinegar, until just combined. Put into piping bag ( optional).
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Either spoon out a 2 inch diameter round ( make a well in the center) or fill a piping bag with the egg white mixture and pipe out 26-30 2 inch rounds. (You can also make these bigger, but will need to bake them longer. ) They will rise and spread a bit, so leave room around them.
- Turn the heat down to 200F .Place in the oven for 50-60 minutes, until crisp on the outside.Rotate pan ½ way through. They may darken slightly or crack, all OK. Turn oven off and let cool in the oven with the door closed, until completely cooled, about 1-2 hours, or overnight.
- While pavlovas are baking , make whipped cream. Place heavy cream and sugar in the stand mixer and whisk on medium high until cream forms med stiff peaks. Be careful not to over whip, but if you do, just a little more whipping cream and it should fix it. When the whip cream is at the perfect consistency, add fine lemon zest ( optional) to give it a lovely aroma. Place it in fridge until ready to serve. ( I recommend using this the same day)
- In a medium bowl place finely sliced rhubarb, quartered strawberries, sugar and lemon zest. Mix well and let this stand for 15 minutes, Mix again, toss in lemon juice and zest ( both optional) and right before serving, add in the fresh mint.
- To assemble: Once pavlovas have completely cooled, top with a dollop of whipped cream and a hearty spoonful of Strawberry Rhubarb Mix. Serve immediately!
- Pavlovas can be made ahead and stored in an air tight container for 2 days.
These are too cute and love the use of rhubarb here with the sweet strawberries!
These pavlovas are beautiful! And I love your presentation and styling of them.
These are so pretty!! Still have a little bit of rhubarb around 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I wonder if adding a leetle balsamic vinegar to the meringue, vs cream of tartar or regular vinegar, would give it an interesting – but palatable – flavour?
I bet it would taste good…and give it a little pretty color!