Zesty Eton Mess

I know lemon isn’t a traditional Eton Mess ingredient, but Eton Mess is only as traditional as a deconstructed (dropped) Australian Pavlova anyway, right? And, as we don’t like to waste ingredients here at BBQ magazine, it made sense to use up the leftover egg yolks from the meringue and make a lemon curd. The residual heat left after cooking on your ceramic charcoal BBQ is the perfect way to cook the meringue low and slow.

Ingredients

SERVES 6-8

MERINGUE

4 eggs (white only)
125g/4½oz caster/superfine sugar
125g/4½oz icing/powdered sugar
1 tsp cornflour/cornstarch
1 tsp white vinegar
½ tsp vanilla extract

LEMON CURD

4 egg yolks
4 unwaxed lemons, zest and juice
110g/4oz butter (cubed)
400g/14oz caster/superfine sugar
Sterilised jars

300ml/10fl oz double/heavy cream, whipped
300g/10½oz raspberries

Method

MERINGUE

1. Let your BBQ temperature get down to 120-140°C/248-284°F. Set the BBQ up for indirect cooking.

2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and set the yolks aside for lemon curd.

3. Whisk the egg whites to form soft peaks. Slowly sift in the sugars and cornflour while still whisking.

4. Add in the vinegar and vanilla and whisk until combined and you can no longer feel any grains of sugar.

5. With a large metal spoon, scoop on to a lined baking tray; unlike with a pavlova, you don’t need as much height, so it crisps up and is easier to break up.

6. I find placing an upturned metal bowl or baking tin under the baking tray, deflects the heat further when cooking.

7. Cook for 1 hour at 120-140°C/248-284°F.

LEMON CURD

1. While your meringue is cooking, you can make the curd. Zest and juice the lemons.

2. Add sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice to a pan over a low heat.

3. Heat until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted.

4. Increase the heat to medium then add and whisk the egg yolks in continuously until it starts to boil.

5. Keep whisking for 1 minute as it boils.

6. Once it is coating the back of a wooden spoon it is ready to put into your sterilised jars. Seal with lids immediately. The lemon curd will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

CONSTRUCTION

1. Break the meringue into 1-2cm pieces and put into a bowl.

2. Add in your whipped cream, raspberries and drizzle through some of your lemon curd. Fold together gently.

3. Serve with a couple of extra raspberries on top and a drizzle of curd.

More Recipes Ideas from Kelly Bates

Method

MERINGUE

1. Let your BBQ temperature get down to 120-140°C/248-284°F. Set the BBQ up for indirect cooking.

2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and set the yolks aside for lemon curd.

3. Whisk the egg whites to form soft peaks. Slowly sift in the sugars and cornflour while still whisking.

4. Add in the vinegar and vanilla and whisk until combined and you can no longer feel any grains of sugar.

5. With a large metal spoon, scoop on to a lined baking tray; unlike with a pavlova, you don’t need as much height, so it crisps up and is easier to break up.

6. I find placing an upturned metal bowl or baking tin under the baking tray, deflects the heat further when cooking.

7. Cook for 1 hour at 120-140°C/248-284°F.

LEMON CURD

1. While your meringue is cooking, you can make the curd. Zest and juice the lemons.

2. Add sugar, butter, lemon zest and juice to a pan over a low heat.

3. Heat until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted.

4. Increase the heat to medium then add and whisk the egg yolks in continuously until it starts to boil.

5. Keep whisking for 1 minute as it boils.

6. Once it is coating the back of a wooden spoon it is ready to put into your sterilised jars. Seal with lids immediately. The lemon curd will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

CONSTRUCTION

1. Break the meringue into 1-2cm pieces and put into a bowl.

2. Add in your whipped cream, raspberries and drizzle through some of your lemon curd. Fold together gently.

3. Serve with a couple of extra raspberries on top and a drizzle of curd.

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