Eton Mess, aka our new favorite dessert

I have made this dish at least 10 times since Brandi, aka The Country Cook, first posted about it.  That is 10 times BEFORE I got a picture of it because the thought of not digging in immediately was ludicrious.  This simple dish is simply amazing.  Who doesn't love strawberries and cream?  Now add in the sweet delicate crunch of meringues, and you have a spectacular experience. 
I have tweaked some of the measurements based on personal prefernces, but it is more or less the same.
I hope you try it and love it as much as we have!

Eton Mess
Recipe adapted from:  The Country Cook

For the whipped cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 TBSP powdered sugar (more or less to taste)

Strawberries:

• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 2 TBSP granulated white sugar (more or less to taste)

• 7-8 Meringue Cookies.  I use the Vanilla Meringues from Trader Joes, but use what you like or make your own, see recipe below.

Wash and slice strawberries placing them in a bowl.  Remove about 1/3 of them and process in food procesor or blender to make a chunky puree.  Add puree and sugar to sliced strawberries. 
Meanwhile, in a cold bowl using cold beaters, beat whipping cream until soft peaks start to form.  Add vanilla and desired amount of powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.  Don't go too long though, or you will get butter ;)
Gently, but throughly, fold the strawberry mixutre into the whipped cream.  Break up meringue cookies into smaller bite-sized chunks and carefully fold in as well.  Serve immediately. 

Meringue Cookies
Recipe Source:  Joy of Baking (video tutorial also avaiable by clicking the link)

• 3 large egg whites (3 ounces or 90 grams)
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) superfine or caster sugar (if you don't have superfine sugar simply take granulated white sugar and process it for about 30-60 seconds in a food processor)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can form the cookies with a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) plain tip, or I often just use two spoons to make the cookies.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low-medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat, on medium-high speed, until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Note: The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.
Before placing the cookies on the cookie sheet, place a little of the meringue on the underside of each corner of the parchment paper. This will prevent the paper from sliding. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) tip. Pipe 2 1/2 inch (6 cm) rounds of meringue in rows on the prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, spoon mounds of meringue, using two spoons, onto the prepared sheets. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a few shaved almonds, if desired.
Bake the meringues for approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, rotating the baking sheet from front to back (about half way through) to ensure even baking. The meringues are done when they are pale in color and fairly crisp. (The meringues will release easily from the parchment paper.) Turn off the oven, open the door a crack, and leave the meringues in the oven to finish drying several hours or overnight. The meringues can be covered and stored at room temperature for several days.
Makes about 10 - 2 1/2 inch (6 cm) meringues

This recipe has been linked at:
This Chick Cooks
Simply Sweet Home
Tidy Mom
Country Cooks Across America