Pear pavlova with undertones of lavender and ginger
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Author Notes: Having made egg custard earlier this week which in turn became ice cream, I was still left with several egg whites. Having recently moved some of my kitchen garden indoors in pots to extend the season, I have a number of herbs I wanted to use before I dry them. Limited to pear and cranberry without another trip to the market I decided to employ my lavender and ginger in this mission. - Sagegreen
Serves 4
- 4 egg whites, room temperature
- 1/2-3/4 cup castor sugar
- 1 teaspoon vinegar, optional (pear infused if you have it)
- 2 teaspoons corn starch, optional
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced lavender flowers, fresh or crumpled and dried, or just use 1 tbl. of lavender sugar
- 4 fresh pears, pared and thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- 4 sugared fresh cranberries, halved, or dried (or cherries)
- lavender leaves, optional
- splash of Poire Williams, Domaine de Canton, or St. Germain
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- Preferably in a copper bowl beat the egg whites with a mixer. Gradually add the castor sugar, one tablespoon at a time. When the peaks are getting stiff, pour in the optional vinegar; fold in the optional cornstarch if you want. Continue beating until peaks stiffen. Sprinkle in the ginger and lavender.
- On a baking sheet line with parchment paper create 4 nests out of the stiff meringue. Bake in a 250 degree oven until the nests become lightly brown on top, about 40 minutes. Turn off the oven and let them sit there for several hours, even overnight until completely cooled.
- After the meringue shells are ready, peel them from the parchment and plate them.
- Whip the cream with splash of Poire Williams, Domaine de Canton, or St. Germain and dash of sugar to taste.
- Layer the cream on top of each meringue nest. Next arrange the thin pear slices on top. At the center plant a clump of fresh ginger. Center a halved sugared cranberry on the ginger. Arrange the lavender leaves in a concentric pattern around the cranberry if you like. I like to create a flower with the fruits.
- Let the flavors co-mingle for at least one hour, if not longer. Then serve and enjoy right away. Leftovers for breakfast are not very appealing with this dish, so please finish each portion while they are prime.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Pears
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Non-Pie Thanksgiving Dessert
Tags: special occasion
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almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Beautiful in every possible way!
almost 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
And what is that beautiful china plate?
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Beautiful and I love Poire Williams what a stunning dessert
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, sdebrango. I was so grateful to find a theme with pears. I only wish I had more time away from work to try out some of the wonderful new recipes getting posted.
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
You have some amazing recipes, I love pears also. On my way to farmers market right now to see if they have any if not will have to hunt some down. I can't get over how totally beautiful the pavlova is.
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I have a bottle of pear brandy but cannot find Poire Williams with the pear in the bottle. I am going to have to buy online I think.
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
St. Germain is also pretty incredible with the perfume of elderflower or Domaine with its velvety ginger. Thanks. I love making this dessert because it is so simple. OK now I have to tear myself away from this tempting site...have to crank out a major proposal by Monday morning....aargh!
almost 2 years ago Lizthechef
Beautiful recipe and such a stunner of a shot!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thank you kindly, Liz.
over 2 years ago SallyCan
Sorry to hear that you haven't been well, Sagegreen, and hope that you're feeling better...though your "not so very active" seems pretty active to me!
over 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, I started feeling better today!
over 2 years ago SallyCan
Another interesting recipe, and another cool photo. Who made the plate?
over 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks. Sorry not to answer right away..have been down with the flu, so not very active. I love all of your thoughtful perceptions about my photos! This plate is by Johnston Brothers, the Countess pattern, no longer made.
over 2 years ago Kitchen Butterfly
That plate is STUNNINGGGGGGG, I love the garnish and the flavours. Gorgeous
over 2 years ago Sagegreen
Thanks, Kitchen Butterfly! Your entries are always stunning!