Lemon Meringue Pie

Published: 9/21/07, 1:45 PM EDT

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups water
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter, cut up
1/2 to 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons sugar

calories: 395, total fat: 14g, saturated fat: 5g, cholesterol: 88mg, sodium: 139mg, carbohydrate: 65g, fiber: 1g, protein: 5g, vitamin A: 14%, vitamin C: 8%, iron: 8%.

1. Prepare Baked Pastry Crust. In a medium saucepan stir together the 1-1/2 cups sugar, the cornstarch, and flour; gradually stir in water. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Gradually stir about 1 cup of the hot mixture into beaten egg yolks; pour yolk mixture into remaining hot mixture in saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil; cook for 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in butter and shredded lemon peel. Slowly stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice. Keep filling warm while preparing the meringue.

2. For meringue, in a large mixing bowl beat egg whites and 1 teaspoon lemon juice with an electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form. Gradually add 6 tablespoons sugar, beating on high speed about 4 minutes or until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves. Pour warm filling into cooled crust. Immediately spread meringue over filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinkage*. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes. Cool on rack for 1 hour. Chill 3 to 6 hours before serving. Makes 8 servings.

3. Baked Pastry Crust: In a medium mixing bowl stir together 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/3 cup shortening until pieces are pea-size. Using 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water, sprinkle 1 tablespoon at a time over flour-shortening mixture until all the dough is moistened. Form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 12-inch circle. Ease pastry into 9-inch pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim and flute edge. Prick bottom and sides well with fork. Line pastry with double thickness of foil. Bake in a 450 degree F. oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 to 6 minutes more or until golden. Cool.

4. *Note: Bakers sometimes notice that their meringues "weep" after baking. The key is to spread the meringue over the pie filling while it's still very warm.