Monday, February 14, 2011

Save Room for Dessert...Lemon Pie

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Historically, lemon meringe pie and I have had a murky relationship.  There was the time I made 2 pies for a family fish fry and neglected to add the lemon juice.  Then, there was the time I mistakenly used baking soda rather than cornstarch; don't even ask.  I think the worst time happened when I made an incredible filling only to burn the meringe under the broiler.  I begin to look at lemon pie as something to be conquered; when someone from work brought in an enormous bag of Meyer lemons, I knew there was only one thing I would make.  Lemon pie.  Now, you'll notice I said lemon pie, rather than lemon meringue pie.  Let us discuss meringue.  Personally, I'm not a huge fan of meringue.  Not wholly true, let me clarify.  When there is meringue on anything, I scrape it off and eat whatever if underneath.  I don't like the taste or texture of meringue.  However, I adore whipped cream, as does the husband, who shares my dislike for meringue.  While the filling would be traditional, I would top the pie with whipped cream. 
The filling - should I use the handwritten filling handed down from someone in the family (not even sure of the origin)?  Or perhaps I could alter an existing recipe in one of my cookbooks, or even use one of the million lemon fillings I'd found via Google.  I decided to use the family recipe, as I knew it to be tried and true, as well as quite delicious (if one remembered to add the key ingredient, i.e., lemon juice).
The filling is nicely tart and pairs well with the crisp crust and lightly sweetened whipped cream.  My sister raises chickens, and I was fortunate enough to have a dozen of her eggs.  The yolks are orange, which account for the deep color of the filling; otherwise, it's not quite as yellow.

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Lemon Pie with Whipped Cream Printable recipe
1 prebaked 9" pie crust
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Pre-baked pie crust.
Combine cornstarch, lemon juice, sugar, lemon zest, and egg yolks - beat together until well-mixed.
Add water and bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick - about 4-5 minutes.
Immediately pour into prebaked pie shell.
Chill in the refrigerator until firm; top with whipped cream and serve immediately.

Whipped Cream
Whip cream until soft peaks form.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
Continue to beat until firm peaks form.
Use immediately.

Linked to Save Room for Dessert at Our Krazzy Kitchen.

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10 comments:

  1. My husband and I love Lemon Pie, I can't wait to try this out!

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  2. Your lemon pie looks really good! I do not care for meringue too! And whipping cream is delicious with almost any dessert!

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  3. You are a lucky lady, Louanne...I wish I had acess to fresh eggs! Your pie is really beautiful!

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  4. ha ha ha ha...I'm sorry, Louanne...but I can't contain a steady giggle. Forgetting the LEMON in lemon meringue pie is totally something I would do ;) I love the sound of just whipped cream cutting the tang of the lemon. Awesome!

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  5. I'm definitely a whipped cream girl and I absolutely prefer it over meringue any day. I'm not a great meringue maker and try to avoid it at all costs. My husband is a HUGE lemon fan, I would love to give him a big piece of your lovely pie for Valentine's. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family Louanne!

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  6. Louanne I'll tell you girl I just like it all, with or without meringue, I just love Lemon Pie and your looks delicious. Thank you for sharing and have a great day!

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  7. Your lemon pie looks completely luscious and so refreshing Louanne! I am a lover of all things sweet and tart! I like the idea of whipped cream too.

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  8. wow aunt louanne this looks delicious! i had to make a lemon pie for my home ec. class but yours looks yummier! i wish i could be with you and eat your amazing food! love michelle :D x

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