I do not make many desserts but I do make this one numerous times during the summer. I made four last week: one for a friend’s birthday, two for a bbq and one which would have been for the bbq had I not forgotten that it was sitting in the oven and turned the oven to 375° and recooked it for half an hour before I realised it was there! It was not ruined (we have enjoyed snacking on it) but I did not know that before the bbq so I made another. As I was growing up my mother would make this for my birthday instead of a cake; it was what I wanted every year.

Pavlova

4 egg whites
1 tsp white vinegar
8 oz caster sugar ( regular white sugar in Canada)
2 tsp corn flour (corn starch)
pinch cream of tartar

1. Beat the egg whites until stiff with a pinch of salt.
2. Add half the sugar gradually while continuing beating. Add vinegar, corn flour, and pinch of cream of tarter, then lightly beat in remainder of sugar.
3. Pile onto cookie sheet covered in aluminium foil and make into a round shape about 1½ inches high
4. Bake in a moderate oven at 375°F for 3 minutes then, without opening the oven turn heat to 200° and cook for 1½ hours.

I open the oven door and let it cool in the oven before I take it out, cover it in whipped cream and decorate it with strawberries, kiwi fruit and manderine pieces. Grated chocolate is also good, as are raspberries.