pavlova perfection 🥭

It's November, and the entertaining season is upon us! It's my favourite time of the year, and over the next few issues, I'm here to inspire you with some delicious festive recipes to elevate your holidays.

I just shot two new recipes—a delicious Summer Pavlova with Ice Cream, Fresh Raspberries & Passionfruit and a Peach, Tomato & Feta Galette with Fennel Seeds & Sesame (pictured below). Both will be featured in The Guardian next week, and I’ll let you know as soon as they’re live!

In the meantime, today’s featured recipe is a must for any Pavlova lover. If you're new to G&F, it’s one of the most popular recipes on the website, especially around Christmas: my Mega Pavlova (with alternative toppings).

THIS WEEK IN GATHERED: NEWSLETTER
🥭 Mega Pavlova (with alternative toppings)
🐟 Pan-Fried Barramundi with Smashed Green Olive, Fennel, Peach & Basil Salad
🍅 Chopped Veg & Warm Garlic-Spiced Chickpea Salad with Creamy Green Tahini Dressing
🥢 Things I’m Loving - these quirky chopstick rests-so cute!
🥰 From the Community

🥭 Mega Pavlova (with alternative toppings)

Here is one of my most highly requested recipes, a family favourite in our household, and requested every year for our Aussie Summer Christmas.

The images feature three variations, and I’ve included all the options in the recipe. There’s a Berry with Lemon Curd & Fresh Mint, a Mango, Passionfruit & Lime with Toasted Coconut, and a Mango, Raspberry & Passionfruit version. You’ll also find a Mango, Lime & Toasted Coconut Smashed Pavlova with White Chocolate version on the website.

This dessert isn’t just for summer either—poached stone fruits, spiced pears, or rhubarb would be delicious, too. For a twist, try adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon to the meringue mixture; it brings a warm, spiced flavour that pairs wonderfully with poached fruits. Yum!

Some meringue recipes call for cornflour or cornstarch for stability, but I like to skip it—I find it affects the texture and flavour once cooked. Instead, a tablespoon of lemon juice works beautifully to create a thick, glossy meringue that holds its shape perfectly.

• 01 This book is on my Christmas wish list - 'Good Time Cooking' by Rosie Mackean.

• 02 These Chopstick Rests-so cute! The perfect gift for anyone who loves quirky cute homewares (loving the sardine!).

• 03 These Josephine Hand Towels by Baina in 'Tabac & Noir' or 'Cement & Rhus'.

• 04 I’ve been testing recipes in our new pizza oven and am loving these Caputo flours! The Pizzeria flour, Long Ferment flour, and Semola flour for sprinkling and shaping. I pick mine up from my local grocer.

• 05 'A very handy kitchen tool' - I’m a big fan of butter knives! Once you try one, you’ll never want to go back to a regular knife for spreading.

The last recipe I filmed with Justine Schofield just aired on Channel 10's Everyday Gourmet here in Australia. We made my Fennel, Blood Orange & Avocado Salad with Roasted Cashews, and I’ve linked the recipe and segment below if you’d like to watch.

That's it from me. As always, if you make anything, please tag me @gatherandfeast. I'd love to see and also feature you! Enjoy the recipes, have the best weekend, and I'll chat with you all soooon.

🍋 Ash x