summer/winter?

With the colder weather on the way or at some points already here. Roasting up some hearty goodness is a must this cold season. Who's with me? But I realize now that I'm writing this we are in the mists of an indian summer. So this somehow doesn't seem quite fitting. Just last week the coldness was enough to think summer was officially over forever, but here we are with gorgeous sunny warm breezy days. Really though, who doesn't love a good roast winter or summer? And what better way to finish off a meal of such? Eton mess. First time making/trying and quite possibly may be my favorite new dessert.

roasted pear and pork

1 3 lb boneless pork loin

3 pears, halved

1 bulb garlic, broken apart, 1 clove finely chopped

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp pepper

a few sprigs each of thyme and rosemary

sesame oil or olive oil for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Coat the cutting board with the salt, pepper and chopped garlic. Roll the pork along the board to coat. In a pan on medium high heat sear the pork until golden and you get a bit of a crust. Place in a baking dish with the halved pears and garlic ( I would have added onions here, but I didn't have any on hand). Rip apart the thyme and rosemary and sprinkle over. Drizzle with oil and cook for about 60-75 minutes. Cover in tin foil and let rest for 5-10 min.

eton mess

recipe adapted from Sophia Dahal

for the meringues

4 egg whites

1 cup caster sugar

pinch of salt

toasted almond slivers to serve

for the compote

1 1/2 cups strawberries quartered

3 tbsp caster sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 140 C or 275 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl of an electric mixer whisk the egg whites until they reach firm peaks. Add the sugar and salt and whisk until the mixture is thick (about 8 min). Spoon the mixture into rounds on the baking sheet, leaving a gap between each. Bake for 1 hour. Any extras and be saved in an air tight tin.

To make the strawberry compote add the sugar and strawberries and bring to a boil. Stir and let cook for about 5 minutes until tender. Set aside to cool.

Whip the cream until soft and fluffy, add the vanilla. Fold in the strawberry mixture so you get a sort of ripple effect happening. In 4 glasses or 1 bowl add the cream/fruit mixture then crumble in the meringues in a layering effect or fold all in together. Top with the toasted almonds and serve.