Mixing mascarpone, lime and balsamic vinegar, this pavlova takes time but the end result is more than worth it.
Ingredients
6 large egg whites
350g caster sugar
2tsp corn flour
1tsp white wine vinegar
Zest of 1 lime, finely grated
2tbsp finely chopped basil
For the topping:
400g fresh strawberries
3tbsp caster sugar
2tbsp finely chopped basil
8 small basil leaves
2tsp balsamic vinegar
250g mascarpone
200ml whipping cream
Few drops of vanilla extract
WEIGHT CONVERTER
to
Method
Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper and draw a 25cm diameter circle on it.
Place the egg whites in a large dry bowl and whisk until stiff. The whisk should make a stiff peak when drawn out of the egg white.
Whisk in half of the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture is thick and glossy. Fold in the remaining sugar using a spatula, then fold in the vinegar, corn flour, basil and lime zest.
Spoon the meringue onto the baking sheet, following the circle. Make a dip in the centre with the spoon and create peaks at the edges.
Place in the middle of a preheated oven at 140ºC (275F / gas mark 1) and bake for 2 hours. Turn the oven off and leave the meringue in the oven for at least 5 hours or overnight.
Once the meringue is ready, wash the strawberries and cut in half. Place in a bowl and toss with the sugar, basil and balsamic vinegar. Leave to marinate for 1 hour, mixing it occasionally.
About 30 minutes before serving, whip the cream in a large bowl with the vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Spread the mascarpone on the meringue base and heap the cream on top. Arrange the strawberries on top using a slotted spoon and just before serving, spoon over the juices and decorate with the basil leaves.
Gino D’Acampo is a much-loved, cheeky TV chef who often appears on ITV’s popular daytime chat show This Morning.
Born into a large family in Napoli, Italy, Gino’s been working in kitchens since he was young and fell in love with the industry age 11 when he walked into his grandfather’s restaurant.
Gino’s Italian heritage has a huge influence on his recipes. From a classic margherita pizza to a four-cheese macaroni cheese with peas, we’re sure to have a Gino D’Acampo recipe your whole family will love!
With three children of his own it is perhaps no surprise that so many of Gino’s recipes are perfect for the hustle and bustle of a busy home.
As well as regularly appearing on This Morning to share his culinary skills and the odd cheeky joke or two, Gino has also had several TV shows of his own including most recently Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape which aired in November 2018 on ITV.
He also won over much of the nation back in 2009 when he was crowned winner of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Gino has several best-selling cookbooks out including Gino’s Pasta, Home Baking and Gino’s Italian Escape. At the heart of all of his recipes is the belief that good ingredients can speak for themselves.
On his website Gino explains: ‘My grandfather said that a good recipe doesn’t need lots and lots of ingredients because if the ingredients are top quality and full of flavour, why would you want to cover up or change their taste
Gluten-free Christmas pudding
