Mama Chan usually only makes pavs at Christmastime, but when granddaughter Sophie came to visit from Melbourne, she pulled out all the stops with a huge family dinner and dessert.

3 egg whites
1/2 c castor sugar
2 tsp cornflour
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp vinegar

Beat egg whites until stiff. Add sugar and keep beating until shiny. Add vanilla, vinegar and cornflour.
Bake for 125 C for 1/2 hour then 100 C for 2 1/2 hours.
Must serve with cream and fruit in season.

Mama Chan has experimented over the years with cooking temperatures trying to find the right balance to produce a pav that has a crispy crust and soft marshmallowy inside. This is what the perfect pavlova looks like coming out of the oven.