Monday, November 3, 2025

Eton Mess with Strawberry Compote 🇬🇧

It is commonly believed that Eton Mess originated at Eton College, a prestigious English boys' school where the traditional dessert was once accidentally dropped and crushed, resulting in a 'mess', but was scooped up and served to the students anyway.  The dessert, which features strawberries, meringues and cream, is rather delightful.  I make it with a homemade strawberry compote, store bought meringue 'kisses' (mini meringue biscuits) and a mixture of thick cream and Greek yoghurt.  Layer them in individual tumbler glasses and top with some fresh blueberries or raspberries.  Alternatively, just pile everything up in a large glass bowl and serve, as it's supposed to  be - a gorgeous mess!

Makes 4
INGREDIENTS
  • 500g / 1lb 2oz strawberries
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 100g / 3½oz meringue 'kisses' or mini meringue biscuits
  • 1 cup thick cream 
  • 1 cup Greek yoghurt
  • 125g / 4½oz  fresh blueberries or raspberries

METHOD
  1. Hull strawberries and slice in half or quarter depending on size.
  2. Make the compote by combining strawberries sugar and lemon juice in a medium sized saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and a sauce begins to form as the sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  3. In a bowl, combine cream and yoghurt. 
  4. Gather 4 tumbler glasses.  Spread a layer of the cream mixture at the bottom of each glass.  Break up a few meringues and place on top, followed by a layer of the strawberry compote.  Repeat again with the cream, meringues and compote.  Garnish with blueberries / raspberries and a meringue biscuit on top.
  5. Serve the dessert immediately. 
*Keep any leftover strawberry compote in an airtight container and store in the fridge up to 5 days, or in the freezer up to 3 months.  Use them as a topping for your morning cereal and pancakes, or stir into yoghurt.




















 

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