Italian Eton Mess

I am a lover of all things sweet and when it comes to meal times, I always, without fail, have to have a desert. 

This is literally the godfather of deserts. The sort of thing to have when you tell yourself "I'll start the diet tomorrow". 

Similar to one of my favourite deserts, Eton Mess, but done the Italian way. 

Such a tasty and delightfully naughty treat and just so simple to make as it only needs three ingredients!

How can you resist a bit of chocolate, meringue and cream, finished off with some tangy raspberries. The answer is that you certainly cannot.

Here's what you need:

Box of meringue nests

Big bar of chocolate

Tub of double cream

Break up all the meringue nests into a big mixing bowl.

Crush them into little tiny pieces.

Dollop in the double cream.

Grate (or chop) the chocolate into tiny little pieces.

Add the chocolate to the mix.

Stir it all up, ensuring that all the meringue is coated in the cream.

Line a bowl with cling film.

And pour in the mixture.

Even off the mixture so that its level at the top (which will end up the bottom later).

Cover the top of the mixture and place into the freezer for a couple of hours until the mixture is nice and firm. You want it to be nice and solid so that you can slice it up into nice neat pieces later. 

E Voilà!

I've garnished mine with some scummy juicy raspberries to balance out the creamy richness from the Italian Eton Mess, but you can use whatever fruit you fancy (passionfruit would be gorgeous!).

Roni & and I literally licked the plates clean. Perfetto. 

But doesn't it look molto buono!?

(Once you've finished. Cover it back up and place in the freezer until you want another serving.)

Eataly

I always knew that when I came to live in New York I would have pretty much every single type of cuisine available to me. From Thai to Mexican and from French to Moroccan I almost feel like I have travelled the culinary world, one restaurant at a time. Yesterday I journeyed over to Italy, as I ventured into Eataly in New York's, Flatiron District. 

Eataly is an Italian food shop with a few different restaurants to tantalise the whims of every customer that comes through the doors; whether it's a light bite, or a sit down meal they have it all. Stocking Italy's favourite coffee, Caffee Lavazza welcomes you on the way in, followed by the Gelateria and then the Pasticceria, which are all casually mixed in amongst shelves of some of Italy's best produce.

I've always felt that one sure way to know if the food is good in a new restaurant, is to have a look at the crowd. For example, if you go to a sushi place and there is not a Japanese person in sight, the sushi probably wont be any good. However, Eataly was bursting with Italians - many tall dark handsome suit wearing Itaians,  come to think of it - all siping on fine wine, eating delicious cheeses and finishing it all off with a double expresso or two. Yes, Eataly is food shopping, the Italian way. 

Think Harrods food hall in Lake Como... 

Despite also offering a pizza & pasta restaraunt, 'La Pizza La Pasta', and a cheese & meat bar, 'La Piazza', we decided to opt for a true multistar sit-down meal at the Manzo Ristorante. Having to wait over 45 minutes for the table we were positively staving, however the wait was well and truly worth it!

Baby Wild Rocket, Beef Carpaccio, NY Strip Steak, Torta di Nocciole and Vanilla Panna Cotta - we ate like true Italians.