Ultimate Lemon Meringue Pie

by Ally Cohen

on Jan 02

Impress family and friends with this Lemon Meringue Pie recipe – Always a classic favourite tea-time pie. You cannot go wrong!

PREP: 1 HR, 30 MINS

COOK: 1 HR, 45 MINS

SERVES: 6 - 8

Ingredients:

For the pastry

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

For the filling

2 level tbsp cornflour
100g golden caster sugar
finely grated zest 2 large lemons
juice 1 small orange
3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg

For the meringue

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

Method

For the pastry, put 175g plain flour, 100g cold butter, cut into small pieces, 1 tbsp icing sugar, 1 egg yolk (save the whites 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).
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/gas 4.
While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix 2 level tbsp cornflour, 100g golden caster sugar and finely grated zest of 2 large lemons in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in 125ml lemon juice gradually.
Make the juice of 1 small orange up to 200ml with water and strain into the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth.
Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in 85g butter until melted. Beat 3 egg yolks (save white for meringue) and 1 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.
Put 4 egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add 100g of the golden caster sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating.
Whisk in 2 level tsp cornflour, then add the remaining 100g of the golden caster 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