Sunday, January 29, 2012

Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie

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One of the many exciting things for me about this new house we've moved into is our neighbor's lime tree. I shared this picture in this post about my new home, remember?
At first, when I saw the limes just dropping into our yard, I tried my best to return the limes to my neighbors. I tried throwing them back into their yard, lining up the limes on the wall separating our houses, and even just ignoring the limes. But I found they were not very interested in the limes. The limes on the wall just dried up after a few days, and that's when I realized - I might as well put them to good use!

I had friends over for a lazy lunch one afternoon, and this was a really awesome finish to our meal. I must mention - I love pies. Any kind - fruit, custard, meat, nuts - anything but chocolate. Don't hate me. Chocolate overdose just isn't my thing - except if it is chocolate ice cream. Getting back to pies - I love them. This was my first time making a meringue pie, and I was really excited to try it. It turned out great in terms of taste.
The only thing that I was confused about were these weird golden droplets on the top of my meringue. I was really upset by it at first, till one of my guests, who has had her fair share of lemon meringues, assured me that this was a perfectly normal thing to happen to meringue pies sometimes, and that it doesn't affect the taste. Whew! And honestly, I thought it looked kinda pretty. Right?
But of course, I couldn't just let it go. I googled it. And it turns out that meringues weep for many reasons - undercooking, overbeating, letting the curd cool before slathering on the meringue, or simply because the weather is humid.

I'm going to go with the humidity. When in doubt, blame the weather.

And besides, I think this pie was weeping tears of joy.

You could make this recipe easier by using a pre-baked pie crust. I didn't. Also, if you bake the crust yourself, feel free to substitute some of the butter with some shortening if you prefer that.

Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie
Pie Crust
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold & cut into small pieces
1-3 tbsp ice-cold water
1 egg white (for brushing)

Method
1. If making in a food processor, add all the ingredients except the water into the processor and pulse until you achieve breadcrumb-like texture.
2. Transfer to a bowl or your counter and add a tablespoon of ice cold water and form the dough.
3. If making the crust by hand, mix the flour, salt and sugar together in a large bowl.
4. Add the pieces of butter and the shortening and mix into the flour using only your fingertips, until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
5. Add the water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time until the dough just starts to come together. (I needed only 1 1/2 tbsp of water.) Do not over-work the dough.
6. Shape into a thick disc and wrap in clingfilm.
7. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out and lining your pie tin. Once the crust is in the tin, prick all over with a fork.
8. Preheat the oven to 200.
9. Line the pie crust with baking parchment or aluminum foil, fill with baking beans or uncooked rice, and bake for about 20 minutes until set.
10. Take the crust out of the oven, remove the beans and foil, and brush the inside of the crust - bottom and sides - with the egg white.
11. Bake for 10 more minutes until golden.

Lemon-Lime Curd Filling
Ingredients
1.5 cups sugar
8 tbsp unsalted butter
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tsp lime zest

Method
1. Combine lime juice, lemon juice, zest & sugar in a saucepan &  boil until sugar is completely dissolved. Simmer for a further 5 minutes.
2. Add butter and stir until the butter has dissolved completely.
3. Take off the stove and let the mixture come to room temperature.
4. Beat the eggs & egg yolks to the lime mixture & mix well.
5. Return to the heat. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. It should now coat the back of a spoon. At this point, you can preheat the oven to 200.
6. Strain & fill into the pie crust. Top with meringue while the mixture is still very hot. Meringue recipe is below.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the top of the meringue is golden.
8. Cool on a wire rack and slice when cool.

Meringue 
Ingredients
4 egg whites
A pinch of cream of tartar
3 tablespoons sugar

Method
1. Using an electric or stand mixer (or your whisking arm), beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
2. Add the sugar gradually and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
3. Spread over the lemon-lime curd layer while the curd is still very hot.
I enjoyed the sweet-tart pie a lot. Though I am not a huge fan of meringue in a pie, this was really delicious. But then again, I am a pushover for any dish with lime in it.

I hope you try this recipe, and let me know how it goes! And I hope your meringue doesn't weep... unless you want it to! :)

P.S. - Thanks to the Gecko and the Mouse for taking the pictures of the whole pie! :)

P.P.S. - Tell me - do you have any tips for me to stop my pie from weeping? Apart from moving to less humid climate, that is.


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61 comments:

Gina said...

Where do I sign up to be a neighbor, I love citrus.  My first thought on the weeping was humidity, since moving isn't an option, not quite sure.  Either way though, I'm sure it tasted great and that you all enjoyed it.  
-Gina-

elisabeth@foodandthrift said...

Marsha-your lemon-lime meringue pie is so perfect, light, and fluffy. Love the lemon-lime curd filling...and not to worry about the meringue having the spots. I think they actually add a nice touch to the topping. You can't blame yourself when you did everything right. Thanks for sharing the delicious recipe, as well:DDD

ping kay said...

For a first timer, this sure looks good! I love lime/lemon meringue pies and this one has got my cheeks puckering! Your neighbors don't know what they're missing!

Amanda . said...

It was the BEST lemon-lime meringue pie in the world!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what pretty hands in that picture of the whole pie!

The Café Sucré Farine said...

How fun to have limes just "dropping" in your yard! All I get is acorns ................... Acorn Pie doesn't sound too enticing, does it? :) Your pie looks delish! But I think maybe it was crying because it knew how much I would love a piece!

Jill Colonna said...

This new house sounds simply perfect with the lime tree next door. I'm weeping for joy for you, never mind that delicious pie. Yep, humidity has a lot to answer for, Marsha. I love chocolate, but if I had the choice would go for your lime meringue pie, no contest.

Kristen said...

What serendipity that you have limes just dropping into your yard!  I love the pie.  It looks beautiful, weeping or no. 

Jill Colonna said...

This new house sounds simply perfect with the lime tree next door. I'm weeping for joy for you, never mind that delicious pie. Yep, humidity has a lot to answer for, Marsha. I love chocolate, but if I had the choice would go for your lime meringue pie, no contest. 

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, Marsha, what a gorgeous pie!  I love the addition of lime so much!  The meringue beautiful!!

Beetlebuggy said...

Mmmmmm this looks so good, Marsha! I thought the little droplets were actually some kinda sprinkles, so you should just pretend like they were meant to be there and let them be :P If anyone asks you, tell them it's chef's secret!

Lizzy Do said...

Oh, boy, we LOVE lemon meringue pie...and lemon lime looks just as fabulous!  I'd heard that it's undissolved sugar that makes meringues weep...so have your egg whites at room temperature, and add the sugar slowly.  Using superfine sugar makes it easier to dissolve, too.

Baking Serendipity said...

You are definitely welcome in Phoenix...there is next to no humidity here! It always drives me crazy when I want simply styled curly hair :) Clearly, I need to get on to making meringues and get some good use of this dry, desert climate. I love this pie! 

Zoe said...

I was curious too seeing the golden droplet on top of your meringue. I'm guessing that these might be tiny undissolved sugar on the surface. As long as the pie is yummy, I think look is secondary...LOL!

I would love to follow your blog to learn lots of cooking and baking technique from you. Hope to keep in touch for more cooking chatting!

anh@anhsfoodblog said...

what an awesome looking pie! I love the color and the topping!

Joyti said...

Congratulations on the new home. I am jealous of your - and your neighbor's - trees.
The meringue pie looks so delicious. The golden drops look pretty, actually :)

Maris Callahan said...

The only weeping I see would be tears of joy for such a magnificent pie!

Mary said...

That is spectacular!!! what a fabulous pie - beautiful!
Mary x

Kate Moran said...

This looks absolutely gorgeous!   So light and fluffy yet so decadent and delicious.  Yum!  Totally perfect, I'd say.  :)  I hope you have an amazing week!

 <3 Kate

Kate said...

This looks absolutely gorgeous!   So light and fluffy yet so decadent
and delicious.  Yum!  Totally perfect, I'd say.  :)  I hope you have an
amazing week!

 <3 Kate

Adora Ding said...

That looks like a perfect pie to me. I do like the droplets, too. How lucky you are to have limes for the taking. We use a lot of that in Asian dips and it doesn't come cheap around here.

Catherine said...

This is my favorite dessert!!!! I love lemon meringue! Lemon-Lime Meringue is just that much better. Blessings my dear, Catherine xo

Mary Bergfeld said...

This would be such a treat for my family. I know they would love this. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

I already loved this dessert when I read "lemon-lime".... Oh how much I love the combination of citrus and sweet dessert!  Your meringue looks perfect Marsha!  I miss eating pie...since the holiday I haven't had any pie and now totally craving for it....

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Gina! It turned out great and the weeping didn't affect the taste & so I didn't let it bother me too much.... :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Elisabeth! I really appreciate it... I thought those little droplets looked pretty too :D Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

I know! I kept trying to give them their limes back, but they truly don't seem to want them... so when it's raining limes, what else can I do?! Haha :) Thank you, Ping! 

theharriedcook said...

Yes. I know. Silly girl.

theharriedcook said...

Really? You think so? I was trying to edit the hands out,  but it didn't look nice... :p 

theharriedcook said...

LOL :D Not I must agree. Acorn Pie doesn't sound very appetizing... Thank you so much for your encouraging comment! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Jill! I love the lime tree, but I  do hate the humidity here... macaron making isn't easy either, as you know... Thank you for stopping by! :) 

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Kristen! I am thankful for my neighbors lime tree :) :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Lisa! :) If I could, I would add lime into everything... In fact, I do! I love lime :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Ritu! I could say that to some people, and get away with it, but not on my blog. All the bakers would know! :D LOL... Can't fool the bloggers, right? :) Keeps us honest! Haha... Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Lizzy! I appreciate the tip :) that is possible, I suppose... I used fine caster sugar, but maybe I should try powdered sugar next time? Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Yes, you should totally start making macarons & meringues! :) I wish we didn't have such humid weather at least a few months a year... Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Zoe! I appreciate your tip and comment :) The pie was yummy... Thanks for visiting me... I look forward to visiting your blog! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! :) Lemon-lime makes me happy! Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Right? I thought so too! :) And thanks, Joyti! The tree is pretty awesome... :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you for the sweet comment, Maris!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mary! I appreciate your sweet comment!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Kate! :) It turned out pretty god... almost perfect :) I hope you have an awesome week too!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks again! :D

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Adora! We use a lot of lime too, and so I am really grateful! Glad you like the droplets... I did! Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Catherine... I tend use lime a LOT... I really love the sharp zing.. Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks, Mary! I appreciate it... I hope you have an awesome day too! :) God bless!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Nami! I get pie cravings very often too... and nothing else can fill the void!  :) LOL... Thanks for your sweet comment!

Mary said...

This whole post made me sigh. I absolutely adore lemon meringue pie. It has been my favorite pie in the world for as long as I can remember. I've only made it a couple times and it is one of those things I happily request from my mom whenever we are visiting her.

Galexicupcakes said...

How lucky are you to have fresh limes at your disposal!!  This is one of my favorite pies to enjoy. How good does this pie look??!!  Delish!

Patsy said...

I am a self-confessed lemondessertaholic, and the addition of lime sounds so good!  I have to try this.  I am now following your blog.  Patsy 

Anna Petralia said...

Hey Welcome back!  We are so glad to see you again! Thanks for stopping by.  Great pie recipe too.  I will have to make this soon or maybe even for the Superbowl this Sunday.

Anna Petralia said...

Hey welcome back!  Thanks for stopping by too!  We love your pie recipe it looks just fine! And I have to make this very soon, maybe for the superbowl this Sunday. Thanks again :) Anna

theblackpeppercorn said...

Now I just love lemon meringue pie. This looks delicious!  I could dive in right now! I love that you included lime in as well!

ahmedabadonnet said...

Hey thanx for the recipe...
ahmedabadonnet.com

feedthebf said...

How lucky of you to have access to the limes!  Too bad your neighbors don't but them to use, but good for you for not letting them go to waste =)

Kimby said...

Marsha, I saw the title of your recipe in my email box and wanted to read it then and there, but I had to wait until I could give it my FULL attention.  It was worth the wait!  Your combination of lemon-lime takes my favorite pie to a whole new level.  YUM!

Magic of Spice said...

What a fantastic flavor combination for meringue pie! 

Jaisree said...

Hi!! Hav jus fallen in love with the way u write! U should consider writing a book!!! Also r u based in chennai? If yes, could u pass on ur number to me.. Would like to order some stuff from u!!! Thx
Jaishree

Jaisree said...

Hi!! Hav jus fallen in love with the way u write! U should consider writing a book!!! Also r u based in chennai? If yes, could u pass on ur number to me.. Would like to order some stuff from u!!! Thx
Jaishree 

theharriedcook said...

The Facebook Page is http://facebook.com/harriedcook 

theharriedcook said...

Hi Jaishree!! Wow! You made my day! :) Thank you so, SO much for your kind words about my blog!
Yes, I do take orders and I am based in Chennai. Tried sending you an email but for some reason, it isn't going through. Would be great if you could send me an email at marsha@theharriedcook.com with your contact information! :) Or could you stop by my facebook page - http://facebook.com/harriedcook - and leave me a note, and I will get back to you! Thanks again for your kind words and for stopping by! :)

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