Ok so I've gotten a little bit obsessed with Jamie Oliver recently. Not in a mad stalker way just in an I love his enthusiasm and vigour in the kitchen and his presentation way. He manages to make the simplest things into flavour explosions and somehow piles things onto boards like a work of art.
I would so love to have a collection of boards purely for piling up dinner offerings. I bet they taste better being served that way too. Now we all know that there aren't too many people who can recreate Jamie's 15 or 30 minute meals in the allotted time (well not without having food from one end of the kitchen to the other) but there are a few of his recipes that really are as easy and quick as he makes them look.
Raspberry and lemon meringues are one of those recipes. As soon as I saw Jamie whip them up I stashed it away in my memory bank for upcoming events requiring dessert. Lucky for me, said event came just a few days later when my friend and her gorgeous twins visited for lunch.
If you use store-bought meringue and lemon curd then these literally take under 5 minutes to throw together and they look oh-so-delicate and gourmet. After learning how easy it is to make lemon curd using Celia's microwave method, I made up a batch the day before.
To assemble the pretty little desserts, start with a meringue, spoon in some tart, lemon curd then blob on a spoonful coyo (you can use regular yoghurt but I like the coconut flavour) folded with raspberries and top with ruby-red raspberries and mint leaves.
My mint happened to be flowering at the time so I added the flowers for a bit of chef-i-ness. The combination of sweet flavours in this dessert is just lovely. It's almost like an even better version of a mini pavlova.
Serve them straight away and watch them be gobbled up. As you can see, I tried to re-create Jamie's slap-it-together artwork like presentation. How did I do? Enjoy!
What about you? Do you serve meals at the table, help yourself style or do you plate up in the kitchen?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 small meringues homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup lemon curd (homemade
- ½ cup coyo coconut yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
- 100 g raspberries
- mint leaves to serve
Instructions
- Lay out the meringues and top each one with a blob of lemon curd.
- Mash the raspberries using a fork and fold the yoghurt through them to create a marbled effect.
- Spoon the yoghurt on top of the lemon curd.
- Top with raspberries and mint leaves.
lizzie - strayed from the table says
So pretty, I don't think I have ever made meringues or a pavola, I will need to add it to the to do list. Claire, it depends on who is at the table how dinner is served, generally when there is a lot of people (four or more), we have platters of food in the middle, for everyone to share. I like the idea of sharing as apposed to set dinner plates.
Claire says
It's much more fun that way Lizzie and then everyone can eat as much or as little (but mostly as much) as they like!
Emilie@TheCleverCarrot says
Ooo, these are so pretty Claire! I like that you used the coconut flavored yogurt. What a nice combo! I remember this episode actually...he sure is something else in the kitchen isn't he?
Claire says
He is indeed. It's just so hard not to be drawn into the kitchen watching him!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
What a beautiful dessert. Love the addition of the mint flowers.
Claire says
Thanks Barbara. Last minute stroke of creativity!
Hotly Spiced says
I confess to being guilty of buying store-bought meringues. They are such a win when time is of the essence. I often buy them if unexpected guests or last minute guests are popping in for a meal and I'll just rush out and buy some, crush them up and turn them into Eton Mess. This is another great use and these look very pretty - much more pretty than Eton Mess xx
Claire says
Oh yes that's one of my favourites too. Meringue, whipped cream and strawberries... delicious!
Jess says
These are so fun, festive and pretty light! Perfect for the warm weather that you are having and that WE are always having here. ;) I love Jamie Oliver too!
Claire says
Yes perfect for you over there in the tropics Jess.
Sarah says
Ohhh man, am I on a pavlova/meringue jag at the moment! These look perfect, sweet, and lovely, and dare I say slightly healthy with the yoghurt? Don't shatter my dream!
Claire says
Oh totally healthy... there's fruit and yoghurt!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme says
These are so pretty Claire! I love to serve dinner at the table and have everyone help themselves but on occasion it is helpy selfy. Just depends on my mood. ;)
Claire says
Haha I know what you mean. I think you could pick my mood by what I serve and how it's served.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Great presentation Claire! :D I love the herbs and splodges artfully sprinkled!
Claire says
Thanks Lorraine! Yes I was rather artful with my splodges.