Despite the cold and wet English weather, I am determined to cling to the last summer days. Like the weather, Eton mess is quintessentially English, in a Mary-Poppins-and-Harry-Potter kind of way!

A mixture of strawberries, cream and meringue, this dessert takes its name from Eton College, where it is traditionally served at the annual cricket game against Harrow School – and has been since the 19th century.

As, of course, traditions are there to be broken, my version of this classic recipe includes pistachios and mixed berries. With a toast (and a farewell) to the rainy English summer!

Ingredients (for 4-6 people)

• 500g mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries)
• 500g meringues (here’s how to make them)
• 400ml full-fat double cream
• 250g pistachios
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• The juice of one lemon

How to make it

1. Chop 500g mixed berries in a bowl, adding 1 tablespoon caster sugar and the juice of one lemon. Leave some berries aside for decoration.
2. Shell, blanch in boiling water and peel 250g pistachios. Roughly chop them.
3. Whip 400ml full-fat cream until stiff peaks form and fold in 500g meringues, broken up.
4. Spoon layers of the cream-meringue mix, pistachios and berries into 4-6 jam jars.
5. Decorate with whipped cream, whole berries and pistachios.

Enjoy!