ON PAVLOVAS: THE DANCER AND THE DESSERT

Who is Anna Pavlova? Anna was a Russian prima ballerina, one of the greatest dancers that ever lived. What makes her success even more amazing is that she was not innately gifted with grace or the physique associated with the great ballet dancers of her time. However, her passion for dance was stronger than any hurdle, propelling her to learn everything she could to truly excel at her craft. It was that very same passion that mesmerized her audiences when she took the stage, transcending any physical or technical shortcomings she had to become a legend.

What is a Pavlova? It’s a meringue-based dessert inspired by and named after Anna Pavlova herself. Its origins are debatable, with both New Zealand and Australia claiming the dessert as their own, but there’s one thing everyone agrees on: the Pavlova, with its crisp exterior and marshmallow-y insides, topped with luscious mounds of fruit and whipped cream, is as ethereally delicious as a performance by Anna Pavlova herself.

So, to recap: one’s a dancer, the other, a dessert. One makes the near impossible look impossibly easy, while the other looks crazy difficult but is actually easier to execute than a demi-plié. But both are sheer perfection.

Pursue your passions and your dreams as relentlessly as Anna did. Your love for what you do will help you overcome those pesky fears and any other obstacles that get in your way.

And when life offers you the opportunity to grab some low-hanging fruit (in this case, strawberries), for the love of all that is delicious, take it. It’s like mountain climbing or spinning. Enjoy the flatlands and the little hills when you can, because we have enough steep to deal with.

This Strawberry Pavlova, adapted from a recipe by the patron saint of effortlessly impressive cuisine, Nigella Lawson, takes some planning. The meringue needs several hours or overnight to dry out, but the actual work itself is minimal. You’d never know it, though, from the looks and taste of your masterpiece, and neither will your audience. In fact, start practicing your curtsy because you may just inspire a standing ovation.