Strawberry-Lavender Pavlova with Vanilla Bean Whipped Yogurt
We asked Deanie Fox, pastry chef at Napa, California’s celebrated Ubuntu restaurant, to come up with a lightened version of the whipped cream she generally uses for this fresh, festive dessert. She was happy to oblige. The result is a tangy, light-as-air filling for crispy meringues.
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We asked Deanie Fox, pastry chef at Napa, California’s celebrated Ubuntu restaurant, to come up with a lightened version of the whipped cream she generally uses for this fresh, festive dessert. She was happy to oblige. The result is a tangy, light-as-air filling for crispy meringues.
Ingredients
Meringues
- 4 egg whites, room temperature
- 2 Tbs. lemon juice
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbs. cornstarch
Topping
- 1 pt. strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- 8 sprigs fresh lavender, optional
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Preparation
1. To make Meringues: Preheat oven to 250°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat egg whites, lemon juice, and salt with electric mixer on low until foamy. Increase speed to medium, and add sugar 2 Tbs. at a time. Beat egg whites 6 minutes, or until stiff and glossy. Fold in vanilla, then cornstarch.
2. Spread 8 mounds of mixture on prepared baking sheet, making indentation in center of each. Bake 90 minutes, or until Meringues are crisp and dry on outside and slightly soft inside. Cool.
3. To make Topping: Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and lavender, if using, in bowl. Let sit 30 minutes, or until sugar has dissolved and strawberries are juicy. Remove and discard lavender sprigs, if using.
4. To make Whipped Yogurt: Place heavy cream and yogurt in large bowl. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into bowl with back of knife. Whip with electric mixer on medium-high until beginning to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat 2 to 3 minutes, or until soft peaks form.
5. Fill each Meringue with 1/4 cup Whipped Yogurt mixture. Top with 3 Tbs. strawberries.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 221
- Carbohydrate Content 32 g
- Cholesterol Content 33 mg
- Fat Content 9 g
- Fiber Content 0.5 g
- Protein Content 4 g
- Saturated Fat Content 6 g
- Sodium Content 76 mg
- Sugar Content 29 g