January 29, 2008

Lemon Meringue Pie



My second Daring Bakers challenge completed. I love lemon meringue, who knew. My pie worked out great and was a big hit at my dinner party. I would probably use a different crust recipe next time or at least add about 1/4 cup more flour to this one since it was a little to runny. I thought this dough was too good to be true when it was so easy to work with. I used meyer lemon for the filling. To look at more Daring bakers pie pics clink on there link in my -stuff to check out-and go through the blogroll.

Lemon Meringue Pie
(from "Wanda's Pie in the Sky" by Wanda Beaver)

For the Crust:
3/4 cup (180 mL) cold butter; cut into ½-inch (1.2 cm) pieces
2 cups (475 mL) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1.2 mL) salt
1/3 cup (80 mL) ice water

For the Filling:
2 cups (475 mL) water
1 cup (240 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120 mL) cornstarch
5 egg yolks, beaten
1/4 cup (60 mL) butter
3/4 cup (180 mL) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon zest
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

For the Meringue:
5 egg whites, room temperature
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) cream of tartar
1/4 tsp (1.2 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) vanilla extract
3/4 cup (180 mL) granulated sugar

To Make the Crust:
Make sure all ingredients are as cold as possible. Using a food processor or pastry cutter and a large bowl, combine the butter, flour, sugar and salt.Process or cut in until the mixture resembles coarse meal and begins to clump together. Sprinkle with water, let rest 30 seconds and then either process very briefly or cut in with about 15 strokes of the pastry cutter, just until the dough begins to stick together and come away from the sides of the bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured work surface and press together to form a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 20 minutes.

Allow the dough to warm slightly to room temperature if it is too hard to roll. On a lightly floured board (or countertop) roll the disk to a thickness of 1/8 inch (.3 cm). Cut a circle about 2 inches (5 cm) larger than the pie plate and transfer the pastry into the plate by folding it in half or by rolling it onto the rolling pin. Turn the pastry under, leaving an edge that hangs over the plate about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm). Flute decoratively. Chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line the crust with foil and fill with metal pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden. Cool completely before filling.

To Make the Filling:
Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Remove from the heat and let rest 5 minutes. Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together. Add the mixture gradually to the hot water, whisking until completely incorporated. Return to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. The mixture will be very thick. Add about 1 cup (240 mL) of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks, whisking until smooth. Whisking vigorously, add the warmed yolks to the pot and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in butter until incorporated. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla, stirring until combined. Pour into the prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming on the surface, and cool to room temperature.

To Make the Meringue:
Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Using an electric mixer beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar, salt and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually, beating until it forms stiff, glossy peaks. Pile onto the cooled pie, bringing the meringue all the way over to the edge of the crust to seal it completely. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Cool on a rack. Serve within 6 hours to avoid a soggy crust.

Makes one 10-inch (25 cm) pie

12 comments:

Phoenix Ascending said...

Lovely! Your pie looks so cheerful. Glad to hear your guests enjoyed it.

Deborah said...

What a beautiful pie!!

Andrea said...

Your pie looks great, and I adore your green pie pan!

kitten said...

wish i was at the dinner party so i could have tried your beautiful pie !

Miss Ifi said...

Your pie just looks amazing!!! seriously the lemon slices on top were just perfect and I think I am in love with your pictures.
P.S. I might have to try those apple fritters sometime!

Dolores said...

Great job with the January challenge, and you've accented it beautifully with the sunny lemon background. I also love your candied lemon garnish.

Lunch Buckets said...

Nice pie! Love your pie plate :)

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Your pie is fantastic!! and I love that old green pie plate. So good you all enjoyed it!!

Unknown said...

Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!!! Hope the pie went over well.

Unknown said...

Really looking yummy...
==============
SEO projects

SEO Services said...

this lemon meringue pie was amazing, it looked and tasted like it was from a high class restaurant, without me being an A grade chef! when i first started baking it i had no idea it was going to take about four hours to make, but it was definitely worth it. absolutely will make it again.




SEOServices

john said...

I think, it’s a helpful topic. I like this topic. I want know some helpful things from this side. It fresh my mind and experience. So lots of thanks for sharing this information with me.
Dominoes online