Lemon Meringue Pie

Ah the lemon meringue, paradise in a pie. Sharp lemon curd with sweet soft meringue in a buttery pastry combines all the indulgences with not so much of the guilt usually associated with a slice of desert this large. For years I've tired variations on a theme, strawberry meringue pie, lime pie to name a few and nothing compares to the combination of lemon and sugar. For the event of my sisters dinner party (and our first snoop round her new house) I spent the best part of the evening creating the pie of champions - well very feminine champions.

Having scoped out all my recipes I settled on Angela Nilsen's 'Ultimate Lemon Meringue Pie' as it involved making everything from scratch and had the word 'Ultimate' in the title!
First I made the pastry by hand, but as it requires the lightest touch to create the perfect short-crust I would recommend a magimix to keep your warm hands away from it which turns it into cardboard. Having purchased a new ceramic tart tin from Sainsburys (£2.99 - bargain) I was determined to make it work without the help of a metal tin but apart from having to blind back the pastry for about twice as long as the recipe suggests it was a success! As I had to work around Egbert, who was enthusiastically making mushroom risotto, and to avoid eau de rice meringue the curd had to sit out for a while, I'd recommend heating it back up slowly and a dash of water to sort out the lumps created s it sets. Apart from tat the recipe was a success and while I prefer my meringue golden you may want to cook it for a little less time to create that just-cooked look.



For the Pastry
* 175g plain flour
* 100g cold butter , cut in small pieces
* 1 tbsp icing sugar
* 1 egg yolk

Lemon Filling

* 2 level tbsp cornflour
* 100g golden caster sugar
* finely grated zest 2 large lemon
* 125ml fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
* juice 1 small orange
* 85g butter , cut into pieces
* 3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg

Meringue

* 4 egg whites , room temperature
* 200g golden caster sugar
* 2 level tbsp cornflour

1. For the pastry, put the flour, butter, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and 1 tbsp cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button so the mix is not overworked, process until the mix starts to bind. Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don't worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for 1⁄2-1 hour (or overnight).

2. Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Bake the pastry case 'blind' (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. (Can be done a day ahead if you want to get ahead.) Lower the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas4

3. While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix the cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make orange juice up to 200ml/7fl oz with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn't curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue.

4. Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in the cornflour, then add the rest of the sugar as before until smooth and thick. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl. Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another 1⁄2-1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day.

Enjoy!