The history and mythology of Eton Mess is quite well known. This is a quick recipe and is always popular. I don’t like whipped cream so I use mascarpone instead. The trick is not to make the mess too early otherwise the meringue will melt. I also use ready-made meringue — I’d use my own if I have time, but I won’t put the recipe here.

Mix broken meringue pieces with strawberries, raspberries or other berries
Whisk mascarpone, milk and icing sugar until smooth
Spoon mess over fruit and fold gently
Decorate with strawberries

This is one of my favourite recipes, and one that is always requested. It was passed to me by a very nice Swiss lady.

300g dark toblerone
2 large eggs, separated
400ml whipped cream
icing sugar

Melt chocolate in bain-marie with knob of butter
Stir 2 tbsp icing sugar into egg yolks, add melted chocolate
Whisk egg white and fold into chocolate mixture
Whip cream and fold into chocolate mixture
Set in fridge