While locally grown berries are not quite in-season yet in most parts of the U.S., their wide availability makes them popular year-round. For a quick and delicious Easter dessert, you might want to serve this easy-to-assemble berries-and-cream dish known as Eton Mess. Despite its rather inelegant name, its look and taste are quite sophisticated. The dessert supposedly originated at England's Eton College during its annual cricket match again Harrow, but its popularity quickly spread to Ireland. It was first made with strawberries mixed together with whipped cream; the broken pieces of meringue were a later addition. You’ll find other springtime desserts like this in Favorite Flavors of Ireland; buy signed copies online at www.irishcook.com 

ETON MESS

SERVES 8 TO 10

2 cups strawberries, hulled, quartered, and chopped

1 cup mixed raspberries and blueberries

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3 cups cold heavy (whipping) cream

8 to 10 bakery meringue cookies, broken into pieces

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, gently toss strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sugar and lemon juice. Let stand for about 1 hour.
   
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whip cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold meringue pieces into cream and then stir in three quarters of the fruit.
   
   
3. Divide mixture into wine or martini glasses and spoon remaining fruit on top.