Mess

A mess is a type of dish that typically contains a mixture of ingredients, and is often prepared in a hurry or with minimal effort. The term is thought to come from the French word mélange, meaning "mixture."

The first mess recipes appeared in the 18th century, and were often simply a mixture of whatever ingredients were on hand. These early recipes were often called hodge-podge or hash.

By the 19th century, mess recipes became more refined, and often included specific ingredients and instructions. One popular 19th century mess recipe was called "deviled kidneys," which consisted of kidneys sauteed in butter and then spiced with mustard, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

  /public/nytimes-logo.svg

Strawberry Eton Mess

  • strawberry
  • heavy cream
  • lime zest lime juice
  • confectioners sugar
  • vanilla meringue cooky
  /public/nytimes-logo.svg

Cranberry-Lemon Eton Mess

  • FOR ASSEMBLY
  • lemon curd
  • CRANBERRY JAM
  • ginger
  • cranberry
  • orange juice
  • sugar
  • MERINGUE
  • cornstarch
  • sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • tartar cream
  • salt
  • egg white
  • spice cookie crumb
  /public/bonappetit-logo.svg

Strawberry Pomegranate and Rose Petal Mess

  • sumac available specialty foods store
  • pomegranate molasses
  • sumac
  • raspberry sorbet
  • mascarpone cheese
  • rose water
  • sugar
  • pomegranate seed
  • powdered sugar
  • rose petal
  • egg white
  • crème fraîche
  • strawberry
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Chocolate Mess

  • dark
  • ice cream
  • whipped cream
  • heavy cream
  • cinnamon
  • chocolate cake
  • brown sugar
  • brandy
  • apple
  • dark chocolate
  /public/foodnetwork-logo.svg

Brian's Eton Mess

  • cornish clotted cream
  • vanilla sugar
  • strawberry
  • vin santo dessert wine
  • scone
  • raspberry
  • strawberry
  • double cream
  /public/foodandwine.svg

Eton Mess

  • Rhubarb Compote
  • cocoa nib
  • bean
  • grand marnier
  • salt
  • rhubarb
  • sugar
  • PINK PEPPERCORN MERINGUE
  • pink peppercorn
  • sugar
  • bean
  • salt
  • cornstarch
  • egg white
  • CARDAMOM CREAM
  • sugar
  • cardamom
  • heavy cream

Ingredient Breakdown

 
sugar
strawberry
heavy cream
egg white
meringue
cornstarch
salt
pistachio
raspberry
confectioners sugar
mint
rose water
cinnamon
rhubarb
bean
lime zest lime juice
vanilla meringue cooky
whipping cream
lemon curd
ginger
cranberry
orange juice
vanilla extract
tartar cream
spice cookie crumb
meringue shell
clove
sumac available specialty foods store
pomegranate molasses
sumac
raspberry sorbet
mascarpone cheese
pomegranate seed
powdered sugar
rose petal
crème fraîche
dark
ice cream
whipped cream
chocolate cake
brown sugar
brandy
apple
dark chocolate
bittersweet chocolate
cornish clotted cream
vanilla sugar
vin santo dessert wine
scone
double cream
cocoa nib
pink peppercorn
cardamom
grand marnier
vanilla bean
white vinegar

Insights

Staple Ingredients

  • strawberry 28%
  • sugar 28%

Rarey Ingredients

  • strawberry 28%
  • sugar 28%