PAVLOVA !

This blog is specially for my kiwi readers!
THERE’S long been an argument raging about the pavlova (with a small ‘p’)named after the Russian ballerina, revered for her solo dance, the Dying Swan.
To honour her, the pavlova, a meringue filled with tropical fruit and served with cream, was 'invented'. Of course the first recipe comes from Mrs.Isabella Mary Beeton who was the eldest of a family of 21 brothers & sisters, from England.
I've noticed that Australians pronounce it PAVlova (and claim they invented it) and New Zealanders pronounce it PavLOVa, (and claim they invented it.)
Interestingly the story goes that the hotel chef who invented the 'pav' (as it's affectionately called here) was inspired by Anna Pavlova's tutu, which was draped in green silk cabbage roses.
The shape of the tutu was provided by a meringue case, while the froth of the skirt's net was suggested by whipped cream. To achieve the effect of the green roses the chef used slices of kiwifruit, then known as "Chinese gooseberries".
To finish - the pavlova is a Kiwi food icon – and is frequently eaten during holiday meals such as Christmas dinner. So, even though it clearly originated in England; the NZers added the kiwi fruit.. after all, it's quite obvious that an English -style meringue cake covered in 'Chinese gooseberries' and named after a Russian ballerina could only be a New Zealand invention!
Case solved!!