Eton Mess is Delicious

I don't know where the name of this dessert comes from, but you can just call it delicious. On Christmas Eve I overnighted in Bakersfield with Linda and Rod. Linda made a spectacular meal. Roast pork with gravy, fruit compote, mashed potatoes, seasonal roasted root vegetables and salad. Linda couldn't decide what to make for dessert, so she made 2 desserts. Eton Mess was my favorite. It's so simple yet elegant. Linda made her own homemade meringues, but for those of us who don't have that kind of time, just buy them at a local bakery. Your guests will rave about this dessert, and you will make it again and again because it's so easy. (I guess if you're really in a bind you could substitute Cool Whip for the whipping cream. It won't be quite as good)

Eton Mess From Ina Garten


"Eton Mess incorporates several of my favorite things all smooshed together. If you make it with raspberries and serve it in beautiful glasses, it's also very elegant. I cook the raspberries in advance and then assemble the glasses before the party."



Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) packages fresh raspberries

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon framboise liqueur

1 2/3 cups cold heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 (3-inch) bakery meringue shells, broken in pieces



Directions

1. Pour two packages of the raspberries, 1 cup of sugar, and the lemon juice into a 10-inch sauté pan. Crush the berries lightly with a fork and bring the mixture to a full boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is syrupy. Fold the remaining two packages of raspberries and the framboise into the hot mixture and refrigerate until very cold.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream, the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, and the vanilla together on medium-high speed until it forms firm peaks.

2. In decorative glasses, layer a spoonful of the whipped cream, a spoonful of the raspberry mixture, and then a few meringue pieces.

3. Repeat once or twice, depending on the size of the glasses, until the glasses are full, ending with berries and a dollop of cream.