Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemons were on sale this week, a quarter a piece, so I bought a bunch in anticipation of making this pie yesterday. I LOVE this pie!! And best of all, Brian loved it and ate half of it last night. Although, maybe that wasn't so good because now I have to make another one.... And once again, I forgot to take a picture, but there are a few slices left, so I'll try to snap a few before they are devoured.

Lemon Meringue Pie
1½ cup sugar
3 Tbs. cornstarch
3 Tbs. flour
Dash salt
1½ cups hot water
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 Tbs. butter
½ tsp. lemon peel (I add more when I'm using a fresh lemon)
1/3 cup lemon juice (I also use about half a cup of fresh lemon juice)

In a saucepan mix sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Slowly add hot water and bring to boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half of the sugar mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Pour all the egg yolks into sugar mixture and bring back to boil, stirring constantly. Cook at boiling for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into pie shell, spread meringue and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden.

Meringue
3 egg whites
½ tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
6 Tbs. sugar

Beat egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar until mixture becomes stiff and glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.

Strawberry Pie

This has been the most flavorful strawberry season I can remember! I've made cases of jam since Brian won't eat any other (flattering, but sometimes frustrating). I decided to make a couple of strawberry pies. They are super easy and oh, so good!!

Strawberry Pie

1 cup fresh strawberries
1 cup water
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbs. cornstarch
5 cups fresh sliced strawberries

Crush 1 cup fresh strawberries and cook with water about 2 minutes and sieve (I never do that, it just makes the glaze smoother and I like chunks of strawberries). Combine sugar and cornstarch; stir into berry juice. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add a few drops red food coloring (never do that either). Place 2½ cups sliced strawberries in baked and cooled pie shell. Pour half sauce over. Repeat layers with 2½ cups berries and remaining sauce. Chill.

Brian likes it with whip cream.