The Ivy's Pavlova with Mixed Summer Berries

Serves 4

For the meringue

45g fresh egg whites 
90g caster sugar
¼ vanilla pod, scraped
20ml hot water
1 splash white wine vinegar
½ tsp corn flour

For the topping

100g raspberries
20g caster sugar
Two handfuls of mixed summer berries
150ml double cream, whipped

Pre-heat the oven to 100º.  Prepare a baking tray with greaseproof paper and spray with a thin layer of oil.

Whisk the egg whites, sugar, vanilla and corn flour together (using an electric mixer or a hand mixer) until the mixture is at a soft peak stage.  In a pan, slowly bring the water and vinegar to the boil and add to the egg white mix while still whisking.   Continue to mix for a further 3 minutes until the mixture is at a stiff peak stage.   Take the prepared baking trays and using a metal ring, pipe the mixture into the ring until it is ¾ full, dipping the ring in hot water each time to clean and prevent the mixture from sticking.  Bake in the oven for 1 hour, remove and cool.  When cool, remove the individual Pavlovas from the greaseproof paper.

Place the raspberries and sugar in a pan with a little water and gently simmer until soft.  Pass the mixture through a strainer to sieve out the pips.  When ready to serve, place the Pavlovas in the centre of the plate and load with a spoonful of whipped cream.  Top with some mixed summer berries and finish with a generous drizzle of raspberry sauce.  Finally, sprinkle with icing sugar.