Strawberry Swirl Pavlova
“What are you doing?! Really – WHAT are you doing??!” My husband asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Is it not obvious?” I ask as I wave my hands in the air and wiggle my hips. I cross my right hand across my chest, and then make a gesture, as if reaching for my left pocket. Then I raise both my hands in front of me, hands in a fist and pretend to “steer”.
“I am doing the driving dance – my officemate taught me” I tell him.
“It’s all wrong – let me show you how.” He says. Then HE starts bobbing his head to the music, moving his feet, shifting his weight from one side to the other, and then he loses himself to the music.
At this point in time – we’re both dancing and laughing and the dogs are not sure what’s going on!
When we’re done he says “Honestly, I’m not sure if I was laughing with you or at you – you’ve got no sense of rhythm. I can tell you never took ballet lessons.”
Hmph…
Strawberry Swirl Pavlova
This is my take on the iconic Pavlova – I call it the Strawberry Swirl Pavlova. This dessert has a crisp outer meringue shell, blessed with swirls of strawberry puree and inside, a cloud-like, marshmallowy center. On top of this, lightly whipped cream, drizzled with more strawberry puree. Finally, fresh strawberries to crown the dessert.
Yes, I may have two left feet but who cares if you can’t dance when you can express your inner ballerina in other ways!
Strawberries
Strawberry Swirl Pavlova
For the Pavlova
- 125 grams egg whites (from around 4 eggs)
- 175 grams caster sugar
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 5 ml white vinegar
- Pre-heat the oven to 160 c (fan forced oven)
- Beat the egg whites using an electric mixer with a pinch of the cream of tartar. First at medium speed and once foamy, take the speed up to high.
- Add the sugar in three additions, after each addition beat on high until the sugar is fully incorporated.
- Continue to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Add two tablespoons full of the strawberry swirl (see recipe below) but do not mix.
- Spread the strawberry meringue mixture on to the parchment paper and place in the oven.
- Turn down the heat to 90c and bake for 90 minutes.
- Leave the pavlova in the oven until cool.
Strawberry Swirl Pavlova
Strawberry Swirl and Cream Recipe
- 400 grams strawberries
- 15 grams caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 250 ml cream
- Using a food processor, puree the strawberries with the sugar and the lemon juice.
- Strain the puree in a bowl and reserve for later use.
- Meanwhile, whip the cream until semi-stiff peaks.
- To assemble, place the cream over the cooled pavlova and the remaining strawberry puree. Top with the remaining strawberries.
Trissalicious 
You are too funny!! and yes.. that’s a nice ballet piece.. I mean Pavlova.
I love recipes like this that don’t need any symmetry to look completely beautiful. i’m not even a big pavlova fan but reading this makes me want to put one together!
If I dance for you will you make me a pav? My dancing can be pretty entertaining. I might even crack out the tap shoes for you!
What a coincidence, a friend and I were just discussing swirly meringues the other day. Yours looks so fantastic.
Oh, don’t talk about dancing…..My husband laughs at me all the time, blames me for ‘my’ kids not having rhythm and all. Moving on, I love when meringues are jazzed up and this is – looks gorgeous
How did i miss your pavlova? It’s stunnning and I love how the strawberry swirl sounds too. YUM!
Haha…. so much fun the two of you! My hubby did that to me all the time when I was cooking in the kitchen! That makes life a little easier. Btw, my dog has no idea what we were doing as well. haha…. Your strawberry pavlova looks awesome! Hope you’re enjoying your day.
Cheers, Kristy
i’ve two left feet too. dont worry you’re not alone!
just reading about your dance made me laugh so hard.
love the red swirls in the white pavlova.
gives it such a twist. hahaha pardon the pun.
feel like making this soon!
A bit late but just had to comment on both the lovely story of the dancing (I could just picture it) and the gorgeous looking pavlova. Mmmmmmm.
Haha… Well, two left feet or not; I think your pavlova is absolutely gorgeous! I looooove a good pavlova and as it is, the strawberry version to me is always the best.!
gorgoous Trissa….
Your stories never fail to make me smile, Trissa. Especially when they involve your family :). Between the DB challenge and posts like this, I’m convinced the fates have aligned to guide me to lose my pavlova-virginity as soon as possible. This is a beautiful dessert worthy of your inner ballerina for sure.
Wow. That is one gorgeous pavlova, Trissa. I love them. All that divine meringue with the fresh fruit. You can’t beat it for a summer treat!
Did the driving dance help you pass your license test? 😛
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful pavlova!
Your husband’s comment made me smile. Unlike yours, my husband is really shy about dancing, especially in public. Dancing in a party is a surefire way of making it an early evening for us! 🙂
Meh- I know plentry of people who wasted their time on ballet and still don’t have a sense of rhythm!!
This pavolva looks like it would make you feel like dancing!
haha you had me laughing! can we have you on masterchef instead of donna hay?
Dear Trissa – Oh my oh my oh my! Everyting about this from the flavors to the pics are superlative! What a recipe – you have me floored 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
lol. it would have been hilarious if the dog wanted to have a dance too 😛
Gorgeous looking pav, and smothered nicely with strawberries…mmmmm
Ahhh.. pav and strawberries.. two of my favourite things 🙂 Reminds me of summer entertaining
i can’t dance for the life of me, but i can bake. more than that, i can EAT! and i love pavlova–yours is particularly dainty and exquisite. 🙂
I think I may have just died and went to heaven. *gulp*
This is so gorgeous Trissa! Love the pink swirl in the meringue. You make food that make my insides want to dance, better than being able to bottom wiggle anyday 🙂
Hey we have the same cake stand!
Beautiful pavlova my daaaahling! So pretty and summery. Nothing says summer better than strawberries.
*kisses* HH
beautiful pictures, I have been tempted to try a pavlova and i really think you have made my decision. this looks so pretty!!
a nice story that leads to a wonderful pavlova recipe!
I love the look of the pavlova, Triss! I’m also on a strawberry craze at the moment, so I will remember this.
Mmmm I think its time for me to attempt another pavlova! Either that or the driving dance…
Trissa, this Strawberry Swirl Pavlova is absolutely divinely tasty, crisp outer with marshmallowy center, yummm…
Lovely! I am going to do the driving dance and make a strawberry swirl!
LOL nothing like confusing our four legged family members. How absolutely pretty looking is that pav.
That just looks lovely. My husband would tease me the same way :D.
Love the beautiful strawberry purée swirl on your pavlova. Too pretty to eat 🙂
You’re such a wiz with macarons, can pavlovas be far behind? Of course not! Your pav looks so swirly and gorgeous (I’d like to dance with it).
Gorgeous – I love the not quite mixed in vivid red swirls of strawberry through that otherwise unblemished white pavlova.
And the Co-pilot does those dances. Sometimes he makes up stupid songs to go with his dances. I do my best to ignore him usually and not feed his lunacy.
I am such a sucker for pavlova – have yet to make one with strawberries, it just looks so charming
The swirls make this looks soooo pretty! And it makes me think of summer… 🙂 Keep dancing girl!
This is gorgeous! Screw the plies and releves and port du bras… keep to the chef’s dance!
What a glorious take on strawberries 🙂
Ah! That is gorgeousness indeed.. LOL.. love the story of you two dancing impromptu, even with all the left feet… 🙂 Btw, I have 4 left feet, so I know what you mean 😀
Your Pavlova lives up to its graceful namesake! I did take ballet lessons as a child but I’m not sure it did me any good. The dog is the only one who gets to appreciate my interpretative dancing as I sweep and mop the floors and he doesn’t seem terribly impressed. Perhaps I’d get accolades for making dessert instead. 😎
Haha I can totally imagine you doing the driving dance in your kitchen! I can also imagine this strawberry swirl pavlova would be utterly delicious. You’re right – who cares about two left feet when your taste buds are busy doing the tango!
What a beautiful pavlova! Love the swirl.
Oh lovely! Pavlovas are such a perfect summer dessert…and this one is totally gorgeous! And it looks delicious…love the swirly meringue.