In my sophomore year of high school I met two girls who would soon become my best friends. At first glance, it was an unlikely friendship. One of them was a champion equestrienne who also made it to class president, and the other was a self described tomboy because she said she loved sports and rock music, except that everyone else thought she was a was a heartthrob. And then there was me. Truth be told, I felt very boring beside them – no hobby to keep me busy, I had no inclination to excel at school and had no string of admirers in the background. But despite all this, somehow, we just clicked. We’d take turns having sleep overs at each others houses, chatting until all hours of the morning about boyfriends (theirs) and heartbreaks (also theirs). We also talked about what we were going to do and where we were going to be “ten years from now” (we all wanted to be lawyers) as we gorged on junk food until we felt sick. We called ourselves PT&T, the first initials of our names.
One of the things we always agreed on was that we would make sure to go to the same University when we graduated. Which, for one reason or another, never happened. In fact, we all went to different schools and all took different courses. After University, I went to work for a bank, one of them continued her passion of horse jumping (and yes, eventually made it to the Olympics!), and the other one continued to break hearts and became a TV personality.
Despite the lack of contact, we were still always fiercely loyal and protective of each other. I remember once when I started dating my now husband, he told me that the “P” of PT&T had told a friend of his that “he’d better make sure to treat Trissa well, otherwise, she would come looking for him”…. and, when it really mattered (like my wedding), we would still be there for each other (they were my bridesmaids).
Sadly, years have passed since I last saw them both. Once in awhile, we text or email each other a birthday or Christmas greeting… but we’re all living on different continents and have gone on to do totally different things… as I said – it was an unlikely friendship.
But I’m still hopeful that one day we’ll have a PT&T reunion – and I know when we do – the conversation will pick up as if we were back in one of our houses, having another one of those sleepovers where there really is no sleeping – just lots of talking and making up for lost time… and of course, still gorging on the junk food.
The more I think about it – the more I realize that blogging is a little bit like an old friendship. You may have noticed the long absence lately – and how rude of me to be gone for so long without a word or explanation. But I know, you’ll forgive me and allow me to pick up where I left off.
Eton Mess
For the Eton Mess
The inspiration for this Eton Mess comes from a recent dinner at District Dining which is Chef Warren Turnbull’s rendition of this classic dessert.
- 3 egg whites
- 150 grams caster sugar
- pinch of cream of tartar
- 250 ml cream
- 1 vanilla bean, scraped
- 50 grams icing sugar
- 250 grams strawberries, quartered
- Raspberry Sorbet (recipe follows)
- Edible Flowers
- Fresh or frozen Raspberries (for topping)
- Preheat the oven to 140c (fan forced). Beat the egg whites together with the cream of tartar in a bowl until frothy and then gradually add the sugar until stiff peaks.
- Spread the egg whites on a tray lined with baking paper and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks and then gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla seeds, making sure not to overwhip the cream.
- Add the strawberries to the cream and gently fold in.
- To assemble, crumble the cooled meringue over the strawberries and cream and top with some raspberry sorbet, edible flowers and fresh raspberries.
For the Raspberry Sorbet
This recipe is done on the thermomix. Feel free to use your own recipe or store bought if necessary.
- 75 grams caster sugar
- 150 grams frozen raspberries
- 1 egg white
- Place the sugar into the TM bowl and mill for 10 seconds on speed 9
- Add the raspberries followed by the 350 grams of ice and egg white. Slowly turn the speed dial to speed 10.
- Use the spatula to assist in the incorporation of the raspberries with the ice.
[…] have taken the recipe from Trissalicious, where it is perfectly […]
This does not look very messy at all! So British, so Jamie Oliver. I saw this pre-made from Waitrose at a supermarket and it looked almost too simple to buy. Well now I know! I’m definitely going to try this – it looks too good !
Wow, this looks utterly delicious!! A bit on the cold side for Capetown, but what the heck, maybe it will bring some warmth!!
Was a spectacular presentation! Adding this to my “to make” list right away.
Thanks. http://calogeromirafoodand.wordpress.com
What a great story. I always think about my friends from school who I don’t really speak to anymore, but then I guess people grow up and change…
Gorgeous post & recipe – and such an accomplished group of friends! I hope you get to reunite soon, because the loss of a dear friendship is always a sad thing.
This just looks amazing, the colour, the conposition, everything! And sounds delicious as well 🙂 Nice 🙂
This is so depressing.. recently found out i’m allergic to raspberries! Blueberry or mango sorbet probably wouldn’t be as magnificent 🙂
Oh! It’s been soo long since I’ve visited you! Like you said, we get busy. We spread ourselves too thin and forget to mark the important squares and do the important things … and then we rush about and find ourselves breathless!
Keep running and getting to that goal! It is inspirational … and the view is probably spectacular when you stop to rest! Equally important for the soul!
The chicken pie is satisfying too … true comfort food!
I just love how you told your friendship story. It’s very heartwarming. It felt like watching a movie unfold in words.
And what else can I say about your Eton Mess? It’s a mess of deliciousness! Looks absolutely delectable! 🙂 Keep your stories and recipes coming. I’ll be back for more! 🙂
Such a poignant post…brought a smile to my face and old memories to mind! And of course we forgive you 🙂 You keep coming back with all this yumminess!
Really beautiful! I love the touch of flowers, not just a treat for the palate but its an eye candy as well
I’m really craving sorbet now, but I loved your story even more than the recipe. It reminded me of the great friendships I made at boarding school. I have friends all over the country and far flung in other countries, but I know we will always remain close in our hearts if not physically.
Your friends will be thrilled to see this. Great post and recipe.
This looks so wonderful! I’m going to make this tonight. I need some meringue in my life. It’s been too long! I’m having lots of fun looking through your fantastic recipes and photography – your blog is so beautiful!
That is just beautiful.
I thankfully have a few friendships like that; sometimes we go months without seeing each other and sometimes we see eachother daily. But then we live fairly close together so we have that option.
Your eton mess looks delicious. I totally love Eton Mess… It’s so easy to make and such a wonderful dessert!
All my highschool friends are back home in NSW while I live down in Melbourne with my husband. We don’t get to see eachother all that often but when we do it’s like old times and we just slip into that nice comfortable rhythm of a good friendship.. I’m sure you will have the same thing when you get to have your reunion.
Love the eton mess looks too pretty to eat! Such a gorgeous little piece of edible art 🙂
Eton Mess… there’s nothing messy about this Trissa! Love love love the plating!!! I’m on the same boat as well – with lack of communication with bestfriend and lack of blogging. eep!
Great looking dessert! You made a mess look so pretty!
Looks lovely, Trissa! I always wanted to try eton mess.
There are 5 of us that used to do sleep overs back in high school. Now, 10 years or so later, 3 have become dedicated mothers, 1 to successfully grow and manage her own financing business, and then there’s me. It’s always a good surprise whenever we bump into each other in the groceries or at the mall. We always make it a point though to have brunch or something once a month to just chat. I miss my girls, and I’m very much grateful that no one has move too far… yet.
Such an exquisite-looking Eton Mess. A bit like friendships sometimes – messy at first sight but a perfectly harmonious jumble when put together.
I have loads of friends like these…. but we catch up every time we see each other in SG
Sadly, I am guilty of being lazy in maintaining friendships… I always rely on others to get in touch with me first but now I am trying to be better at it… With new technology platform such as Facebook, Twitter and messenger, it has become a little easier 🙂 . This is the prettiest Eton Mess I have seen!
Gorgeous dessert.
We all have relationships like that that drift and move with time – hope you get that reunion some time 🙂
Great to see you back Trissa. I have not kept in touch with any friends from school. I have a close friendship with 3 women in Perth. We met when we were 17. Last year we met in Melbourne for a birthday celebration. We had so much fun. And just like our teenage years the people in the room next door knocked on the door at midnight complaining about the noise.
Such a pretty Eton Mess.
You’re back! I did notice the long absence…but I’m not one to talk at the moment. So many things to blog about…but haven’t touched the old blogger for a while! I loved your story of P, T & T and Eton Mess is one of my most favourite English traditions – kind of like a good ol’ Aussie pav. 🙂
My favorite dessert, Trissa!
Love the story of your long friendship! I have some like this…and when we see each other (which isn’t often) it’s like we never changed!
Picture of your dish is very pretty as always Trissa. 🙂
This looks refreshing! I think it’ll be perfect for my cousin’s birthday. I know she’ll love this.
Thanks for sharing.
i feel the same way about my friends too… thanks for sharing 🙂 you are successful in your own way too! a great blog takes much more discipline to keep up cuz it’s not something you get paid for (at least not like a stable job). and i admire bloggers (like you) for that. to me, your blog is not just about pretty food and great recipes, but a “friend” that cares to share regularly – feelings and all. so, thank you for having this blog! 🙂
I have a few friendships which are like this. Friends of mine are in the habit of disappearing overseas to work and travel and, although there is little contact while they’re gone for a few years at a time, upon their return it’s as if I saw them only the other week. Lovely, as is this unmessy mess of yours!
I love those kind of friendships where you can pick up from wherever we’ve left from after so many years of not seeing one another and just chatter like the good old days. For something that’s suppose to be “messy”, this is a very pretty dessert Trissa! Hope to see your lovely face around sometime soon! Take care girl!
That Eton mess is almost too pretty to eat. Welcome back!