Have Pavlova, Will Travel
The pavlova shells will keep nicely for several days if you let them cool completely, then put them in a Ziploc bag or tightly covered container. Humidity is the enemy of meringue. Pack your shells, and either a container of berries, or small mason jars for fun, individual servings. I always make homemade whipping (pronounced- whooping) cream. I do not like cool whip or any of the other convenience creams. However, I relented for a picnic, simply because I was afraid homemade whipped cream would break as it got warm. This can was settled into a bag with a bit of ice in the bottom and stayed cold forever! One much make allowances at times ;)
Pack the pretty dishes, whether they be non-breakable melamine, or thrift store china. And real silverware is best. I do hate to try to cut something (like a really crusty pavlova) and have a plastic fork bend and send the food shooting off the plate. There is no horror quite like losing a pavlova to the grass...
Fill your shell with your handy-dandy cheater whipped cream. Hey, it does make pretty ripples when it comes out! And top with your berries. These Mason jars are the smallest size they make. I get them to can samples of my jellies. They were the perfect size to hold just enough berries for an individual dessert with a couple left-over for snacking.
Sweet success! A delicious dessert, on a vintage quilt, overlooking a lovely green expanse. All I needed was a lace parasol and someone to carry my massive Victrola and records along so I could be serenaded with the proper music ;)
The sweet little gingham can lids were from none other than Dollar General! I didn't can with them so that I could keep them just as reusable lids for times like this.
And there you have it, Dear Reader. A perfectly transportable dessert, that also transports you to a beautiful state of mind. I hope that you have picnic possibilities brewing so that you will be ready when that perfect cool day comes. I keep my hamper packed with important items so that it is ready at a moment's notice.
And don't think I am stuffy about picnics! I love a PB&J sandwich thrown in a sack with a flask of milk, and going on a spur-of-the-moment adventure. It is the eating outdoors, and the company you choose, that makes the food taste so wonderful. But if you are interested in beautiful, yet simple and travel-worthy food, I will do a post on the perfect French sandwich. It is my go-to for delicious portable food. Let me know, sugar, if you are in the mood to picnic!
Dear Ms. Sam,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I would never have thought of eating pavlova on a picnic. Our hens are beginning to produce a plethora of eggs, so I'll have to give it a try! I will have to also look for those cute jar lids at the Dollar General . . .
Cheers,
Marqueta
Hello, Ms Marqueta! I'm so crazy about pavlovas (I think I have tried them seven different ways so far!) that I just look for excuses to eat them ;). And then you can use the leftover yolks for all kinds of other yummy things- like chocolate pots de creme! Hope you find some of the lids. They had ones with strawberries on them as well!
DeleteSo how far will you travel with your pavlova?! I love picnics. I have hard time getting my sweetheart to go on picnics but I grew up with lots of picnics in the summer & my boy & I had many of them while dad was at work over the years. I don't know what it is about eating outside that feels like such an adventure. And to me, picnic season is coming with the cooler weather of fall & low/no humidity.
ReplyDeleteI can get my sweetheart to picnic often on the screened porch....I guess that counts!
Eating outside does feel like an adventure, even if it is only in your backyard! I know you so enjoy that beautiful screened porch. It is beautiful! My sweetie doesn't like to sit with his feet in the grass- even to eat at the picnic table. We don't have ticks or chiggers in the yard, but he is not a fan of bugs at all. However, the kids are always up for a picnic of any type. And I will often picnic by myself, simply because it make me feel happy :)
DeleteI have never had pavlova but it sure sounds good! We have lots of picnics when we camp - I always think food tastes better when it's eaten outside! Once in awhile we will picnic at home. And I love to sit with my feet in the grass! My favorite thing about warm weather - no shoes!
ReplyDeleteI had never had a pavlova until I made me one! It is not something you ever find in my neck of the woods. The pictures were so beautiful that I tried it solely on looks ;), but when I tasted it I was hooked! They are every bit as fantastic to eat, I hope you get to try on sometime. Camping picnics are so much fun! I'm barefoot pretty much all the time I am home, grass is a lovely feeling :)
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