MINI BERRY PAVLOVAS

Makes 24 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 25-30 minutes To decorate: 15 minutes

3 medium egg whites

175g (6 oz) golden or ordinary caster sugar

1 teaspoon cornflour 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

To decorate:

6 tablespoons strawberry jam ½ lemon, juice only 450ml (3/4 pint) double cream 250g (9oz) Greek style yogurt 250g (9oz) raspberries 150g (5oz) blueberries 250g (9oz) small strawberries, quartered

1. Preheat oven to 140°C/ fan 120°C/ Gas Mark 1. Line two large baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

2. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until they form stiff, moistlooking peaks. To check they are ready, turn the bowl upside down – the egg whites will slide if not whisked enough.

3. Gradually whisk in the sugar a teaspoonful at a time until it has all been added, then whisk for a minute or two more until very thick and glossy. Mix the cornflour with the vinegar then fold into the meringue.

4. Spoon into 24 small mounds on the paper-lined trays, leaving a little space between them. Spread into rough shaped circles about 5cm (2 inches) in diameter then make a small dip in the centre with the back of a teaspoon.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the meringues are a very pale biscuit colour and can be easily lifted off the paper. If they stick, cook for another 10 minutes then test again. Leave to cool on paper.

6. Mix the jam and lemon juice together. Divide fruit between three bowls then stir a third of the jam into each. Whip the cream until it forms soft swirls, fold in the yogurt.

7. Take pavlovas off the paper and arrange on a tray or plate, spoon cream on top then add raspberries to 8 mini pavlovas, blueberries to 8 more and strawberries to last batch. Serve within 1 hour of decorating.