when life gives you lemons. . .

When life gives you lemons...make Lemon Meringue Pie! Or is it lemonade? Uh...anyway, this fantabulous dessert is my absolute favorite. It has been such an amazing day, but hot enough that the thought of chilled-to-perfection Lemon Meringue Pie is ever so appealing. (Pun intended there:)

This is the recipe I've always used because it is so quick/easy/good! If you're going for made from scratch classic pie, then I'd recommend >this< recipe. However, my technique is a little trickier. It involves unrolling an instant pie crust... :] Don't tell anyone that, ok?

~Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie~

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 lemons, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
• 4 egg whites
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To Make Lemon Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter. Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Pour filling into baked pastry shell.
3. To Make Meringue: In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites until foamy. Add sugar gradually, and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie, sealing the edges at the crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

       (via)

Fun Fact: To really enjoy this dessert, you'll need to brew a fresh pot of coffee... :]