One Year Blog Anniversary (and a recipe to celebrate)!

You know, even if another person never read this blog again, I'd still write it.  Why write something no one may read you may ask?  Because each time I look up one of my recipes, it takes me back in time.  I remember the tastes, the smells, the occasions, and the people who sat down with me and enjoyed every flavor I've brought to the table, or project I've labored over.

This is my virtual journal, and I'm so glad to be able to bring people along for the ride.  It makes me thrilled to think that someone half a world away could find a recipe and share it with their loved ones too, making different--and wonderful--memories with the same combinations of butter, garlic, olive oil, and herbs.

In fact, did you know this week marks the one year anniversary of this blog?  Yes, "Happy Birthday To You, Newly Domestic." You have survived an entire year without boring of projects, recipes, or things to write about!

So to celebrate, I have a special recipe for you.  Now, I've revealed in the past that I am not actually much of a fan of desserts.  But when I find a dessert that is a) easy, b) delicious, and c) only 68 calories, that's a dessert worth of...well, an anniversary post!

I found this recipe (which I of course modified to make more WW-friendly!), and the original recipe stated that it called "Pavlova."  Apparently, I'm not fancy-schmancy enough to know what "pavlova" is,  but I do know what meringue is, and let's just call a spade a spade.  It's fancy meringue!  Even Wikipedia is with me on this one.  They state that pavlova is a "meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside."

So here you go fellow domestics...a indulgent dessert to celebrate our anniversary, Weight Watcher Style!

68-Calorie Berry Meringue

Effort Meter (1 to 5): 3 

 

Delicious Meter (1 to 5): 5

 
Weight Watcher Points -  ONE POINT!  Yes, ONE POINT for 1/8th of the Meringue; Two points if you add non-fat whipped cream to top


Ingredients:

1/2 C Splenda
1/2 C Sugar
2 TSP Cornstarch
1/8 TSP Salt
3 Egg Whites
1/4 TSP Cream of Tartar
1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
1 Cup of Raspberries (Fresh or Frozen, I used frozen)
1 Cup of Strawberries (Again, Fresh or Frozen, I had overripe fresh ones I used)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250.  Line a baking sheet with wax paper and draw a circle onto the paper using a large bowl turned upside down.

2. In a small bowl, combine 1/2C of Splenda, 1/4C of sugar, cornstarch, and salt.  Mix together and set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, beat three egg whites and cream of tartar until peaks form.  You will want to make sure there is no moisture in the bowl or on the beaters before mixing, or peaks may not form. Add sugar mixer 1 TBSP at a time (boy, am I glad to have a KitchenAid Mixer for this!) on high speed until entire mixture is added, then add vanilla extract.  Beat until glossy and stiff-peaked, about five minutes.

4. Transfer egg mixture (meringue) to inner circle of waxed paper with a spatula, making a volcano shape with the meringue (circular bottom with a dip in the center).  Bake at 250 for one hour.  Let cool in the over by turning the oven off after one hour and cracking the door.

5. While cooling, combine strawberries and 1/2 C of the raspberries plus remaining 1/4C of sugar into a saucepan.  Add 1 TBSP of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Cook until sugar is dissolved (three minutes).  Stir in remaining berries and pour into a bowl to cool (or place in refrigerator.

6. Place egg mixture into the fridge until ready to serve.  When ready to serve, transfer the meringue to a plate and place raspberry mixture into the center dip of the meringue.  Serve with fresh mint (if desired) and non-fat whipping cream.

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