Hallam Mess
No, this is not the collective noun used by University of Sheffield students to denounce the horde of freshers from their rival university, but rather is the name of a dessert that has gained a cult status amongst friendship groups that I'm involved with. A makeshift version of the Eton classic, a few friends of mine first experimented with this recipe following a trip to The Moor Market in Sheffield city centre. Hitting town at around 5pm, they were able to take advantage from a selection of fruits being sold off by market-holders at vastly reduced prices. Following the success of this trip, the 5pm mission to The Moor became a regular habit amongst friends. And the good news is, this frugal opportunism is by no means limited to the Sheffield city walls. Try heading to your local market in the late afternoon, and you'll be surprised at the types of bargains you'll pick up!
Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 4 Red apples
- 4 Ripe oranges
- 3 Ripe pears
- 1 Punnet of strawberries
- 1 Mango
- 130g Caster sugar
- 600ml Double cream
- 2 Large free range eggs
Cooking Instructions:
(For meringue)
1. Preheat oven to 250F (120C).
2. Line baking sheet with grease, and put on ovenproof tray
3. Crack two eggs into a bowl, and remove yolks.
4. Whisk egg whites until mixture can form stiff peaks.
5. Using tbsp at a time, gradually add 100g of caster sugar, and steadily whisk until mixture becomes thick glaze.
6. Using dessert spoon, heap round lumps of glaze onto ovenproof tray, leaving at least a 2cm gap between lumps.
7. Bake for two hours until meringues are crisped outside, and remove from oven. Leave to air and cool completely.
(For rest of recipe)
8. Whip up double cream with 30g of caster sugar until soft and thick.
9. Pour mixture evenly into four separate glasses. Break up meringues evenly into glasses and mix in with the double cream.
10. Peel the apples, oranges, pears, and mangoes, before cutting into small pieces. Put fruit into large dish and mix.
11. Take half of the punnet of strawberries and spread amongst four glasses. Crush strawberries in glasses so juices are released in with mixture.
12. Scoop mixed fruit from large dish and distribute evenly across four glasses of meringue.
13. Use remaining strawberries to put on top of each glass.
Photo courtesy of Mark Diacono, www.orfordcottage.com
Contributor: Abbie Sparks, Sheffield Hallam University, Film and English
"If you've got a bit of a sweet tooth like me, but fancy a change from chocolate-based puddings then I'd definitely recommend you try this creamy dessert. It's kinda healthy too if you count the fruit towards your five-a-day. Go Hallam!"