This one is for the boys out there who have a special girl to impress this Valentine’s Day. And by boys, of course, I mean anyone who might not be much for spending too much time in a kitchen. Wait, I’m being sexist, so let me rephrase that: For all you cook-o-phobes, this one’s for you.
Pavlovas are meringues topped with whipped cream topped with fruit. Simple, stunning and sooooo good. My spin is to use fresh exotic fruits, chosen for their contrasting colours and textures and also for their acidity, which balances out the sweetness of the meringues. Mangoes are a sensual fruit, being soft, sweet and juicy. Pomegranates, an ancient symbol of fertility, are gorgeous ruby red, the colour that most stimulates the senses and gets the blood flowing. And passion fruit… well, the name says it all really. While these three might not all come from the same corners of the world, the flavours do work wonderfully together. 
Pavlovas are impressive yet simple, even when you bake the meringues yourself. But, as promised, I’m not going to make you do that. Good meringues are easy enough to find in grocery stores and farm shops. And, so long as your meringues are the only things you’re ‘cheating’ on, your relationship will surely survive this tiny little indiscretion.
PrintPassionate Pavlovas
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
These Passionate Valentine’s Pavlovas are a delightful dessert featuring ready-made meringue shells topped with whipped cream and a vibrant mix of mango, passion fruit, and pomegranate seeds.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) double (whipping) cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ready-made meringue shells, individual serving size
- 1/2 mango, diced
- 2 passion fruits (look for those with slightly wrinkled skins)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Pour the cream and vanilla into a large bowl and whisk until it forms soft peaks. This can be done by hand but is much easier with an electric whisk. If you’re not sure whether you’ve whisked it enough, lift the whisk out of the bowl; the cream should form a peak that gently folds over.
- Place each meringue shell on a serving plate.
- Spoon the whipped cream evenly onto each meringue shell.
- Top the cream with diced mango, passion fruit pulp, and pomegranate seeds, distributing the fruit evenly across the pavlovas.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of textures and flavors.
Notes
For best results, use ripe fruits for maximum flavor. The meringues can be purchased from most grocery stores. Serve immediately after assembling to maintain the crisp texture of the meringue. If you prefer to make your own meringues, you can find recipes online, but store-bought ones work perfectly for this quick dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pavlova
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 40
