Lemon Meringue Pie
SERVES: 6–8 • TOTAL TIME: 3 HOURS 15 MINUTES
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
175 g plain flour
100 g cold butter, cut in small pieces
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 egg yolk
For the Filling:
2 level tbsp cornflour
100 g caster sugar
Zest of 2 large lemon, finely grated
125 mL fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
Juice of 1 small orange
85 g butter, cut into pieces
3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg
For the Meringue:
4 egg whites, room temperature
200 g golden caster sugar
2 level tsp cornflour
Directions:
For the pastry, place 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 23cm 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 ½ - 1 hour (or overnight).
Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat fan forced oven to 200ºC. 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 180ºC.
While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain lemon juice and stir in gradually. Make orange juice up to 200 millilitres 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 and well combined. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to 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.
Place 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 minutes 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 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing. Eat the same day.