New Zealand Chef Simon Webster says everybody questioned his opening a restaurant "out in the middle of nowhere" in East Texas. But the move has proved to be everything he dreamed it would be.
"Sabor A Pasion" is a country retreat bed and breakfast with bistro located on Anderson County Road 406. Out of the way though it is, patrons from Dallas, Houston, and throughout East Texas seem to find it. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the bistro Thursday through Sunday by reservation.
Chef Simon also teaches cooking classes at the retreat and at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens. His next classes at Trinity Valley, "Just Desserts" will be January 30th and February 16th. The traditional and delicious "New Zealand Pavlova", named after the famous ballerina will be featured.
Joan Hallmark, Reporting. joanhallmark@kltv.com
NW ZEALAND PAVLOVA
10 egg whites
10 oz of fine sugar
2 tbs cornstarch
8 oz unsweetened whipped cream to garnish
Seasonal fruit to garnish
Preheat oven to 325F. Mix sugar and corn starch together. Beat egg whites until thick. Once thick while still beating, add one spoon at a time of sugar and cornstarch mixture until all incorporated. On cookie sheet, place parchment paper with 9 inch circle in the middle. Place egg mixture in that circle and spread out to form a cake shape 9 inches round, 3 inch side and flat on top. Bake on middle shelf for 45 minutes. Crack will form on top. Remove from oven and cool. Top with thick, whipped cream and seasonal fruit of your choice.