PAVLOVA
Blueberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry
in Chai Lavender Syrup
Greek Yogurt and Mint
ANNA PAVLOVA
In the Fokine/Saint-Saëns
The Dying Swan
Saint Petersburg, 1905
Anna Pavlova (February 12, 1881 – January 23, 1931) was a Russian ballerina of the late 19th and the early 20th century. She is widely regarded as one of the most famous and popular classical ballet dancers in history. Pavlova is most recognized for the creation of the role The Dying Swan. She would become the first ballerina to tour ballet around the world.
Inspired by swans that she had seen in public parks and Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Dying Swan,” Anna Pavlova asked Michel Fokine to create a solo ballet for her for a 1905 concert. Fokine suggested Saint-Saëns’s cello solo, Le Cygne, as the work’s musical basis and Pavlova agreed.
Years later, while touring in The Hague, Netherlands, Pavlova was told that she had pleurisy and needed an operation. She was also told that she would never be able to dance again if she had this operation. She refused to have the operation saying “If I can’t dance then I’d rather be dead.”
Three weeks later she died of pleurisy, just short of her 50th birthday. She was holding her costume from The Dying Swan when she spoke her last words, “Play the last measure very softly.”
In accordance with old ballet tradition, on the day she was to have next performed, the show went on as scheduled, with a single spotlight circling an empty stage where she would have been.
Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after Ánna Pávlova.
The dessert is believed to have been created to honor the dancer during one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s. Exactly where it was created, and the nationality of its creator, have been a source of argument between the two nations for many years. (from wikipedia here and here)
Pavlova Recipe
Beat 3 large egg whites with 1/8 t. cream of tartar at medium speed until frothy. Beat in 3/4 c. sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
The meringue should be thick and glossy.
Spoon the meringue onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Use the back of a spoon to make wells or indentations in the meringue to hold the yogurt. Bake in a 250° oven for one hour. Then turn off the oven and let cool in the oven for one hour.
Combine 1/2 c. sugar with 1/2 c. water in a sauce pan, bring to a boil then remove from heat. Add a Chai tea bag and 1/4 t. lavender buds. Let stand 10 minutes, then strain into a bowl. Let cool then toss berries in the syrup.
We filled the meringues with non-fat Greek yogurt, then topped with berries, syrup and fresh mint. Most pavlovas are topped with whipped cream, but since we used non-fat Greek yogurt, this dessert falls into the heart-healthy category. No fat, no cholesterol, and healthful anti-oxidants in the berries too, it makes a gorgeous wholesome dessert for entertaining.
We served this dessert at our Porchetta Party. Light and airy and refreshing, it was a beautiful complement to our dinner.
I want to extend a special thank you to my dear friend Chef Allison for preparing the pavlovas. They were absolutely stunning!
This delightful recipe was inspired by one in Food & Wine Magazine February 2010 issue, or can be found on-line here.
Wonderful piece! I know what my next dessert will be. So glad I found your blog!
Greek yogurt is a great replacement for the cream and sounds delicious! Beautiful pavlovas.
Being Australian, I love a good pavlova and yours just takes it to the next level. Thanks for a beautiful post – both the words and pictures!
This is a great post, Lori. I loved learning about this dish. The photos look great, too.
The dessert looks amazing but what cracked me up was your lavender plant. IT'S A SHRUB!!!! Truly amazing! -Tien
Oh this is so cool! The history, the lavender collection and a wonderful dish!
i just made pavlovas for the first time over christmas! although i knew where their name came from, i like to say that it's an allusion to the fact that my mouth waters whenever i hear about them!
here's how it went for me:
http://soundoflaughter.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-dribblin-fool.html
not nearly as elegant as yours! thanks for the inspiration to keep trying!
I make pavlovas often, but that Chai syrup is taking this favorite dessert to a whole new level!!! Well done, great idea!!
I love and make Pavlovas. Love ballet and the stories of the beautiful Anna. The chai syrup stopped me dead in my tracks. Truly inspired. My lavender plant has an inferiority complex next to your bush.
that looks amazing. i've never tried pavlova before but I read a great piece about it in a magazine. love your photos
You know, I've never made a Pavlova? I will remedy that the next time I have leftover egg whites…and fresh berries like you have.
The new site is absolutely beautiful, LL. Congratulations and good job!
Thank you for the history behind the dish! Looks so elegant!
Beautiful! I never knew the dessert was named after a ballerina.
Dear Friends – thank you for all your kind comments.
Unfortunately, in the process of launching this new site, we lost some comments along the way. So, if you don’t see your comment here, I apologize that it is irretrievable. I did get to read it, and appreciate your remarks and input, as always!
Thank you for your continued support. YAY for the new site! See you soon!
Lori Lynn
LL,
I like how blogger took me right to your new site.
Looks very nice and stream lined!
I love the name Pavlova………..
we are getting ready for another blizzard in NJ, are you in?
Aw, Stace, I’m hearing about the blizzard. I’m in California, and Susan is in Florida.
Keep warm!
LL
Yummy Pavlova. I will try this. Thanks for sharing this to us. 🙂
Your new site looks fantastic! Very easy to navigate—love the categories with pics.
Congrats!
Now this is what I really need to eat for dessert after 3 weeks of gorging in Italy. Your pavlova looks as beautiful as a pirouette and I love your new site.
I eat pavlova too much but i dont know how to make one,because my mom always make pavlova for our dessert. . .I’ll tell my mom regarding with this,i am pretty much sure she’ll be happy. . .Thanks a lot for the blog,I really enjoying myself watching the beautiful pictures.