Blue Ribbon Mile High Lemon Meringue Pie - pie shell

Method

• BAKE 9-INCH FLUTED PIE SHELL:
• Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
• Fit the crust into a pie plate and flute the edge.
• Prick the bottom and sides of the crust with a fork.
• Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes.
• Allow to cool while preparing rest of recipe.
• PREPARE LEMON FILLING:
• In a medium-size heavy saucepan, mix 1-1/2 cups sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt.
• Gradually add water, stirring until well blended.
• Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook 3 minutes.
• Remove hot mixture from heat.
• Slowly pour about half of mixture into slightly beaten egg yolks, stirring constantly.
• Slowly pour egg yolk mixture back into hot mixture, stirring constantly.
• Return saucepan to heat.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook 3 minutes more.
• Add lemon peel, lemon juice, and butter.
• Cook about 2 minutes more, stirring with a rubber spatula in a circular motion. DO NOT LET MIXTURE STICK TO BOTTOM OF PAN. Filling will be very thick and spatula will leave a track when drawn through filling.
• Cover saucepan and remove from heat; keep warm.
• PREPARE MERINGUE:
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy.
• Beat in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Beat in vanilla extract with the last tablespoon of sugar.
• Continue beating until egg whites hold a soft peak.
• Set aside.
• ASSEMBLE PIE:
• If filling has cooled, reheat, stirring constantly, before spooning into baked pie shell.
• Starting around the edge of pie, spoon meringue over filling, making sure meringue touches fluting on pie shell.
• Bake in preheated 350°F (175°C) oven 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.
• COOL 4 HOURS BEFORE SERVING:
• Cool about 4 hours at room temperature before cutting.
• Makes one 9-inch pie.