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Pavlova, oordadig gevul met vars vrugte en bollings geklopte room is ‘n poeding-ikoon. Dis ook ‘n deel van my kombuis-rituele. Sodra aarbeie in oorvloed is,  maak ek Pavlova om die seisoen van somerpoedings in te lei.

Geoordeel aan die ywerige saampraat op Facebook deel my kosvriende my soet sentiment (met ‘n tikkie surigheid meestal). Ek en smulpaap Pieter du Toit sit beslis aan dieselfde poedingtafel. So beskryf hy sy pavlova-liefde:

“My nagereg-ultimatum: pienk, geel, rooswater, sjokolade, neute, cheap, duur, windgat of eenvoudig! Anders as my melktert voorkeure sal ek ENIGE pavlova eet. ENIGE! En enige tyd van die jaar: winter somer, lente, herfs en sommer tussen die seisoene ook.”

Vir mense wat so aardsnuuskierig oor die stamboom en oorsprong van geliefde geregte is as ek stel Pavlova nie teleur nie. Hierdie somerpoeding is gegeur met intrige, mite, twyfelagtige herkoms en vele kostuum-veranderings.

‘The truth is far more interesting than the vagueries of a myth. The pavlova is an artifact of history and a phenomena. It is linked through name to the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, but it existed in form well before she was born – in fact, the cake we call pavlova today, was already a high-occasion extravaganza during the late 18th and early 19th centuries’. (Annabel Utrecht, pavlova-deskundige)

Die elegante nagereg met sy meringuebasis, gevul met vrugte en room is vernoem na die beroemde Russiese ballerina Anna Pavlova. Sy was ‘n superster en die eerste prima ballerina wat op ‘n wêreldtoer gegaan het. Swan Lake, ‘n intense ballet oor die broosheid en vlietendheid van die lewe sal vir altyd met haar verbind word.

Dis maar net nog altyd aanvaar dat die Pavlova wat aan die ballerina opgedra is in die Suidelike Halfrond ontstaan het. Die Kiwis en die Aussies kibbel al jare onder mekaar oor wie die soet ikoon geskep het. Nou onthul twee kosspeurders na jare se in-diepte navorsing hul verrassende bevindings dat nie een van hierdie lande op vaderskap kan aanspraak maak nie, en dat die gereg al bestaan het lank voor die Russiese ballerina gebore is.

Dr Andrew Paul Wood, ‘n akademikus van Nieu-Zeeland en Annabelle Utrech, vervaardiger van dokumentêre films het vasgestel dat die Pavlova in Duitsland begin het as ‘n skuimtert (schaumtorte). Vandaar het dit saam met immigrante die kontinente oorgesteek tot in die VSA. Die Amerikaners het begin om mielieblom by te voeg, ‘n kenmerk van die hedendaagse pavlova, en dit sy moderne vorm gegee.

‘Die vrugtegevulde meringue nagereg soos ons dit vandag ken, is maar een van die sowat 50 ode-geregte wat aan haar opgedra is,’ vertel Annabel my. ‘Dit sluit die 1926-Australiese Pavlova in van 4 lae jellie, ‘n resep wat ook in 1927 in Suid-Afrika aangeteken is.’

Die vroegste ode-nagereg wat hulle kon opspoor is die Aarbei-pavlova uit 1911, ‘n elegante ysgereg (glacé), gemaak met rooi bessies. ‘Al het nie een van hierdie nageregte ‘n meringue of roomkomponent nie, is dit geldig om die naam te dra.’

Wat ‘n aangename ontmoeting. Die vrugte-glacé is ‘n ode-juweel in die kroon van geregte wat die ballerina se naam dra. Na 108 jaar is dit nog net so sjarmant en verfrissend.

Annabelle beklemtoon dat hulle navorsing-resultate nie hul landgenote se kospatriotisme vir die ode-poeding met die meringue-basis, vrugte en room demp nie.  ‘Al is ons nie die skeppers nie, is ons die bewaarders. Pavlova is deel van ons kospsige, ons het dit omhels en ons eie gemaak.’

Waaroor hulle seker steeds sal stry is wie se pavlova die lekkerste is: met grenadilla en geklitste room soos die Australiërs of met kiwivrug soos die Nieu-Zeelanders.

KLASSIEKE PAVLOVA MET AARBEIE (EN SWARTPEPER AS JY WIL)

Maklik. Die klassieke pavlova se meringue-dop word gekenmerk deur hoë, geplooide kante wat herinner aan die van ‘n tutu.

Bedien 6

• 5 groot eierwitte, kamertemperatuur
• 250 g strooisuiker
• Knippie sout
• 7,5 ml witwynasyn
• Versiering: geklitse room, aarbeie of vrugte na keuse. gekraakte peperkorrels opsioneel.

1. Voorverhit oond tot 120°C. Trek ‘n 20 cm sirkel op bakpapier en plaas op ‘n bakplaat.
2. Voeg die eierwit in ‘n skoon mengbak en klits vir 15 sekondes met ‘n elektriese klitser of staanmenger se ballonklitser, op die laagste spoed. Gooi sout by en verhoog die spoed geleidelik tot hoog terwyl jy die suiker stadig byvoeg.
3. Hou aan klits tot die meringue glansend is en ‘n stywe punt met groot selfvertroue aan die onderpunt van jou klitser vorm. As jy die mengsel tussen jou vingerpunte vryf moet jy nie suiker kan voel nie. Vou die asyn versigtig met ‘n metaallepel in om die volume te behou.
4. Skep bollings meringue binne die sirkel op die bakpapier, smeer in opwaartste bewegings om ‘n  koepel te vorm.
5. Bak vir 1 uur en 15 minute, skakel af en laat afkoel in die oond.

Versiering (net voor opdiening)

1. Plaas die onversierde pavlova versigtig op die opdienbord.
2. Klits 250 ml koue room tot dit sagte punte vorm, versoet na smaak.
3. Skep bollings room bo-op en hou die kante skoon. Versier met vrugte soos vars aarbeie.

WENK: om die bessies te verglans, smelt aarbeikonfyt tot loperig en smeer aan met ‘n kwas.

1911 AARBEI PAVLOVA GLACÉ (YSGEREG)

Bedien die ysvormpies met vars bessies soos op die foto, of maak granita daarvan en bedien bo-op vrugte-gevulde meringue-nessies. Ek dra my weergawe op aan Annabelle Utrecht en Dr Wood wat deur hul navorsing hierdie ysjuweel aan die wêreld teruggegee het.

• 1 liter vars bessies
• 250 ml suiker
• 250 ml framboossap (ek het vars beet en appel versap)
• Ekstra bessies vir bediening.

1. Maak die suikerstroop: Voeg suiker in ‘n pan met 500 ml kookwater, roer tot opgelos en kook vir 5 minute. Laat afkoel.
2. Verpulp die bessies. Voeg die suikerstroop en framboossap by en vryf die mengsel deur ‘n sif. Skep in ‘n bak en vries tot hard. Skraap los met ‘n roomyslepel en pak dit in ‘n vorm of individuele vormpies. Net voor opdiening, keer uit en versier met vars bessies.

PAVLOVA-KENNER VERTEL MEER

Ek korrespondeer die afgelope twee jaar met Annabelle Utrecht, die Australiese pavlova-ekspert, oor haar en Dr Wood se navorsing. Haar terugvoering op my vrae is baie insiggewend.

What first triggered your quest to research the origins of Pavlova?

• I’d love to say that my interest in history, geopolitics and world-cuisine drew me into researching the origins of the pavlova – but it would be untrue. The truth is, it was a chance conversation on Facebook with Dr Andrew Paul Wood, a New Zealand academic, author, art historian and cultural critic which started it all. I use the word ‘conversation’ advisedly, because it was more of a disagreement. I was born in Australia and grew up understanding the pavlova to be an Australian creation. Andrew on the other hand, being a New Zealander, declared it most certainly wasn’t. He understood the pavlova to be New Zealand’s achievement and pointed to the publication of a 1929 “Pavlova Cake” recipe as proof of New Zealand’s ownership. Our dispute over the pavlova’s origins came from deeply held patriotic narratives. Resolved to prove each other wrong, our Facebook disagreement was concluded. A few days later however, we connected again – but not to argue. We’d both stumbled upon evidence which contradicted any southern hemisphere creation claim. What we’d discovered, had never been documented and it changed everything in terms of the pavlovas beginnings.

Why is it important to separate fact from myth. Some would say, ah, it’s just a pudding.

• AU: The short answer to this question is because the truth is far more interesting than the vagueries of a myth. The pavlova is an artifact of history and a phenomena. It is linked through name to the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, but it existed in form well before she was born – in fact, the cake we call pavlova today, was already a high-occasion extravaganza during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• Casting the pavlova as an antipodean “invention” is an injustice to its true creators and recipe protectors – the master chefs, cooks and women who penned recipes long ago. The question is no longer who invented the pavlova, it is who rebranded a cake already in existence as a tribute to the ballerina, Anna Pavlova – and after years of researching and collecting evidence, Dr Wood and I might just have the answer.

What are the main criteria for a dessert to be called a Pavlova? When does it stop to be a pavlova, but rather just a meringue-based dessert.

• AU: This is a great question. First of all, the Oxford English Dictionary define a pavlova as “A dessert consisting of a meringue base or shell filled with whipped cream and fruit.” Architecturally, any dish that presents in this format could be labelled a pavlova – although this is quite problematic given cakes identical to pavlova existed under alternate names a century or more before the term pavlova was applied.
• Another issue with using the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition to benchmark what is, or isn’t a pavlova, is the presence of so many pavlova-named culinary homages. From 1911 to 1929 there were at least two dozen ‘pavlova’ food tributes – including the 1926 Australian “Pavlova” (a four layer ribbon jelly) which was also present in South Africa by 1927. Another example is the 1911 “Strawberries Pavlova” dessert (a red berry glacé). Neither of these have a meringue or cream component, but they are legitimate pavlovas.

Is there a ‘classic pavlova’?

• With regard to the classic pavlova, invested Australians would argue it should be topped with whipped cream and passion-fruit. Patriotic New Zealanders would probably suggest whipped cream and kiwifruit. Historically however, the first known recipe for “Pavlova Cake” (published in New Zealand in 1929) reveals it was topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts and cherries!

Nieu Zealand and Australia have fully embraced Pavlova as part of the countries’ culinary heritage: Do they accept the findings or continue the myths?

• : Our biggest discoveries will be the subject of a comprehensive book about the pavlova and all the other Pavlova-named homage dishes. What we have chosen to disclose so far though, has changed the nature of the pavlova-debate. Most food writers and culinary historians are receptive to an expanded pavlova story which takes into account the cakes presence in the northern hemisphere – long before it arrived in Australia or New Zealand. Our greatest hurdle however, has been the old myths themselves, which continue to flourish – some without evidence. Challenging long held beliefs is not easy, but when skeptics are given the opportunity to see old cookbook recipes, something shifts. The old “we invented it” arguments no longer feel relevant and a deeper analysis of the cakes history is possible.

You must have tasted so many different variations on Pavlova – do you have a favourite?

• I’ve baked so many variations on the pavlova and I absolutely delight in finding long-forgotten recipes, attempting them and sharing the results with family and friends. I don’t have a favourite meringue pavlova recipe yet (they’ve all tasted pretty good). My least favourite pavlova is the 1935 Western Australian Pavlova Cake recipe by Bert Sachse (so low in sugar, bordering on unpleasant). Having said that, I absolutely adore the 1911 “Strawberries Pavlova” glacé – it is light and refreshing and perfect for summer.  

What will you be making next?

• AU: This week I’m looking forward to baking an early 19th century meringue torte which was topped with lemon ice-cream and plum preserve – something very different.

Any new projects in mind?

• AU: Dr Wood and I have one goal and that is to complete our manuscript. When we started this venture neither of us understood the project’s scope would be so broad. We had no idea there were so many undocumented northern hemisphere pavlova recipes, or historic meringue presentations. To obtain an accurate picture, we have had to access undigitised materials held in libraries all over the world, and translate works written in Latin, Arabic, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish and Dutch – it’s been a huge undertaking, but an endeavour we can’t wait to publish!

Volg die Pavlova-navorsers op Twitter @docandthefrock

PAVLOVA-GESELSIES OP FACEBOOK:

• Mynhardt Joubert: Meringue en roosgegeurde room met nastergalkonfyt en baie bessies. Kersieseisoen ook amper aan die gang. Du Toit’s lewer selfs af.
• Estelle Rauch: Lemon meringue-vulsel met somervrugte
• Ilza Roggeband: Nigella se lemon meringue pavlova. Maar ‘n gewone meringue met baie aarbeie en room is ook nie te versmaai nie. Het een gemaak met bruinsuiker en toe appelliefies en pekanneute gebruik. En room.
• Anel Franken Filby: Room, bessies, aarbeie en granadillapulp
• Karen Ellis: Swartwoud-pavlova
• Snowy J. Kruger: Chai inspiration: Ginger preserve with cardamom infused cream, crushed ginger biscuits and a dash of cinnamon.
• Carolie de Koster: Tiramisu pavlova.
• Riana Maritz: Ingelegde perske met vars room vulsel en vars grenadella
• Moryn Hanzen: Gemmer/Vy/Bloukaas
• Kari Vorster: Mixed berry Coulis and cream cheese filling, tangy fresh berries
• Gezina En Hennie Gouws: Ek het die mees ongelooflikste Pavlova’s ge-eet in New Zealand. Hulle bring stapel in die winkels in begin Desember. Almal eet pavlovas, dit in ‘n sagte spons dwarsdeur, en ‘n koekpan groot.
• Veralda Schmidt: gekapte grondboontjies in die paplova, vulsel van piesangroom met spekkrummels en esdoringstroop
• Billie Lambrechts: 1. Vars perskes en framboo curd 2. Jamie se gestoofde pere met donkersjokoladee en amandels 3. Vervang room met klapperroom, granadilla curd en baie mango.
• Jaco Wheeler: My winter weergawe is donkersjokolade pavlova, ek meng kakao met eierwit en suikermengel, paar druppels haselneutlikeur, stukkies donker chocolate word ingevou.
• Valerie Slabbert: Ek bly ‘n sucker vir die suur-soet kombinasie. Lemmetjie of suurlemoensmeer.
• Lynette Van Rooyen: Met lemon curd beplak, dan geklopte room met geroosterde amandels bo-oor.
• L’lize JvRensburg: Ek was skoon liries geinspireer na al die liplekker kommentaar. Moes net gaan bak!
• Anita Lemmer: Die Foodfox se bruinsuiker- en espresso-pavlova met vye en neuter
• Lizette Louw: Britse Eaton mess pavlova.
• Nicolene Burger: klits room styf en met dieselfde hoeveelheid Griekse jogurt by, mengsel vars bessies, Bar One-sous oor bedruip. Vir Kersfees, maltballe met goue stof gesprinkel.
• Christian Smit: Dark chocolate ganache and black cherries. Almond crème anglaise with raspberries.
• Carin Maidment: Pistachio en roosblaar meringue, kardamonroom met Griekse jogurt, vars granaat en druipsel granaatmolasse.
• Judi Dyer: Fresh guava and banana.
• Nissa Vosloo: frambose, mandarynsegmente, grenadellasous (nie vars nie – te suur, maar iets soos baie vloeibare grenadellabotter. Enigiets met kiwivrugte, vars vye, granaatpitte en geroosterde pekanneute.
• Sonia Cabano: Toe ek ‘n kind was mag ons op ons verjaarsdag elke en enige kos gekry het wat ons harte begeer. My versoeknagereg vir aandete was haar Meringue Surprise. Anders ook met Lemon curd, vars frambose en room met geroosterde amandelvlokkies bo-op.
• Sabine Human: Eenvoud – net met room en bessies.
• Andries Kemp: My gunsteling is vars vye, geglasuurde groenvye en ryp vye konfyt, op styf geklopte room. Ek klop my room styf met ‘n bietjie ROLKEM dyocell, dit behou die vorm, en behou die vog sodat die meringue nie smelt nie. Bedrup met ‘n nougatsous.
• Carina du Preez: Styfgeklopte room, vars bessies, aarbeie, kiwivrug baie dun gesny.

Stilering en fotografie: Errieda en Ian du Toit

Tags: aarbeie, Anna Pavlova, Annabelle Utrecht, bessies, Doc and the Frock, eierwit, kosgeskiedenis, kuierkos, meringue, nagereg, pavlova, poeding, room, somerpoeding, vrugte