Nigella's pavlova

[Piccalilli2]

I need to make a large dessert for a bbq tomorrow and am currently leaning towards Nigella's choc and raspberry pavlova from Forever Summer. Anyone made it? Is it yummy? Any top tips? I am a pavlova virgin so in need of guidance.

I have made this but to be honest wouldn't recommend it to a pavlova/meringue virgin. The chocolate seems to make the meringue collapse a little so it doesn't look as impressive as a normal pavlova - that said it tastes lovely and got lots of compliments when I made it for a party.

If you do make it, be really patient - when you think have whisked the eggs enough do it a bit more. Add the sugar really slowly (I do this a teaspoon at a time but admit I am a bit obsessive about pavlovas!) and whisk again really well after all the sugar is added. Jamie Oliver recommends doing it until you cannot feel any grittiness from undissolved sugar. Fold in the chocolate really gently to avoid knocking out too much air.

Pavlovas are great for BBQ parties - they always get finished off.

I am renowned for my Nigella chocolate and raspberry pavlova. Everytime I serve it I am asked for the recipe.

Hmm, now I am wondering whether to save myself the stress and just make an enormous pile of brownies. The pavlova just looks that bit more impressive though...

No go for the brownie, it will become a staple of your culinary repertoire.

Sorry not the brownie go for the pavlova

Make the Nigella thing - it works very well.
It does look quite flat when you make the meringue but that's not a problem as you can pile it up with cream (don't make the cream too stiff) and then throw berries all over it. Don't put teh topping on till fairly near when youwant to eat it.
I often use the frozen (defrosted!) packs of summer fruit on top, so you get an impressive looking load of red and black berries.

From triumph to disaster in 10 minutes! I made the pavlova, and for a first attempt I was really proud of it, lovely and crisp at the edges, squidgy in the middle, perfect. And then I tried to move it to get it in the box to take it to the party and it fell apart! Gutted. But thanks, ladies, I will definitely be trying that again some time when I don't have to take it anywhere.

Chocolate eton mess?

I did this a couple of weeks ago and had exactly the same result. But the chocolate eton mess we then had was delicious!