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1 to 2 tbsp honey, or granulated sugar
1 tbsp rum, or orange liqueur
1/2 to 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
3 cups fresh summer fruits, such as berries, finely chopped plums and nectarines, peeled peaches and pitted cherries
1/2 cup plain yogurt, or sour cream, low fat or regular
Topping of mint leaves
In a medium-size bowl, stir 1 tablespoon (15 mL) honey with rum, if using, 1/2 tablespoon (7 mL) mint and lemon juice. If using large strawberries, chop or slice into small pieces. Add fruit to honey mixture and toss gently to evenly coat. Taste and add remaining honey and mint, if you like. Mixture can be used right away or, if making ahead, leave at room temperature for up to 2 hours or refrigerate. As it sits, fruit such as peaches may darken and soften a little.
Place 1 meringue nest on each of 4 individual dessert plates or a flat platter. Fill centre of each nest with about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) yogurt, then top with about 1/4 cup (50 mL) fruit, including juice. Top each with another empty meringue nest. Fill centre of these nests with another scant tablespoon (15 mL) of yogurt. Spoon equal amounts of remaining fruit overtop. Some fruit will spill over sides of meringue onto plate. Evenly drizzle any excess juice over fruit.
Keep refrigerated for about 2 hours to soften meringues a little. If using home-made meringues, however, they may already be soft enough for eating and can be served right away. Serve meringues on individual dessert plates garnished with big sprigs of mint, if you like.
Calories 221, Protein 4.2g, Carbohydrates 51.8g, Fat 1.5g, Fibre 2.6g, Sodium 54mg.
Incredibly, this impressive-looking make-ahead dessert requires no baking if you use store-bought meringues. This is the dessert to remember on scorching-hot days when you have to put together a knockout dessert.
Small individual meringue nests are sold in boxes in the bakery or cookie section of many grocery chains. Some supermarket bakeries also sell freshly made meringue nests.