1½ lb fresh strawberries, topped and halved
2 packages instant vanilla pudding
4 cups of milk a handful of meringues
4 oz kirschwasser
Special equipment
egg beater or whisk for whipping pudding
serving bowl
Method
In a large bowl, whip pudding in the milk and let it rest until firm. Fold in the fruit, crushed meringues and the kirsch. Serve.
Notes
An Eton Mess is served at the prize-day picnic held at Eton on the fourth of June, except that they use sweet cream in place of our custard. We had tried combining a Gooseberry Fool with an Eton Mess one Imbolc, but were none too fond of the canned gooseberries. So next time we decided not to fiddle with Garmey's recipe. Our ad hoc pâtisseur was so impressed he couldn't wait until presentation to get his share. Of course, it's the kirschwasser that's the secret touch, but crunchy meringues which dissolve the instant you put them in your mouth are a pleasant surprise.
