Championing British berries

Though this was my first time making a pavlova (and it did come with some learning curves), I would honestly recommend this recipe to anyone, even if you’ve never made meringue before.

The crispy yet melt-in-the-mouth meringue base is topped with fresh whipped coconut cream, juicy blackberries, light-as-air vegan meringue kisses, and fragrant basil leaves, offering a beautiful and cruelty-free twist to this classic dessert.

M&S champions British berries and with summer being a time to celebrate provenance, they are offering more ways for people to incorporate these delicious seasonal fruits into their diet.

They are also committed to the sustainable sourcing of British ingredients, and have with worked with some of their berry suppliers for over 40 years, working with farmers that have been farming for generations.

Since this pavlova is vegan, it’s made with entirely plant-based ingredients and is better for your health and the environment. All you need to do is enjoy it!

Not only does this dessert look pretty show-stopping, it tastes delicious too, making it great to take to a gathering or serve to guests during summer. Believe me, they’ll never know it’s vegan till you tell them!

How to make vegan meringue

Some people may be surprised to learn that it’s possible to make a meringue without egg whites. The truth is that you absolutely don’t need animal ingredients to make delicious desserts, and meringue is no exception.

The secret ingredient is aquafaba – also known as chickpea water. This might seem very strange, but the starch and protein from the chickpeas that have migrated into the water make it perfect for being whipped up into a sort of vegan ‘egg white’; a light, fluffy and airy cream that is fantastic for vegan meringues and souffles.

According to the Aquafaba website, the liquid contains just three to five calories per tablespoon and one gram of protein. It’s a great alternative for reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in recipes, as well as cutting down on food waste. And it’s cheaper than eggs, too!

Look up ‘aquafaba recipes’ online and you’ll find plenty of uses for the stuff – including chocolate mousse and of course, aquafaba meringue!

If you’re skeptical, try this easy peasy vegan meringue recipe first. You’ll soon wonder why you ever did it any other way.