Checking the Tank

Man, you have had a week!!!!! Hope you are driving safely. And really, treadmills are not all bad and the for sure beat getting nailed by snow.

Hey, you owe me a recipe. Patiently waiting.......

Thanks Kelli, its been rough but Im back!

Thanks also for being patient... Here you go!!

Pavlova

For the Base:

• 6 large egg whites (you could use 3 and some cream of tartar, but 6 is better)

• 2 cups sugar

• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

• 2 ounces chocolate, chopped

•

For the Toppings:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

• 3 Tablespoons of sugar

• 4 cups blackberries or raspberries or strawberries (your choice!)

• A little bit of chocolate

#1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Draw a 9-inch-diameter circle on the paper with a pencil, tracing a round cake tin or whatever you have that size. Turn the paper over.

#2 Beat the egg whites with a mixer until satiny peaks form, and then beat in the sugar a spoonful at a time until the meringue is stiff/shiny.

#3 Sprinkle the cocoa, vinegar and then the chopped chocolate over the egg whites. Gently fold everything with a rubber spatula until the cocoa is mixed in.

#4 Mound the meringue onto the parchment within the circle, smoothing the sides and the top with a spatula.

#5 Place in the oven, then immediately turn the temperature down to 300 degrees F and cook for one to one and a quarter hours. When it's ready, it should look crisp and dry on top, but when you poke the center you should feel it give and be squishy.

#6 Turn off the oven and open the door slightly; let the chocolate meringue disk cool a bit in the oven. When you're ready to serve, invert onto a big flat plate and remove parchment.

#7 Whisk the cream – basically you’re making whipped cream, whisk it and add the sugar to it until it is thick – you can add more sugar if it is not sweet enough for you. Spread it on top of the meringue and then scatter your fruit on top. Grate the last bit of chocolate on top!

Balsamic vinegar???? Am I reading this right?

Yes you are!!! Trust me!! :)

Okay, I will buy the ingredients and give it a try. I TRUST YOU, you are my dream personal chef.