2 Mar 2011

Nanna's Lemon Meringue Pie

My great Nanna (Momle's Nanna) stood less that five foot and was a force to be reckoned with. She could make absolutely anything out of nothing and her culinary skills were a marvel. With Momle and Falof coming over for dinner I think a "Nanna Chapman Lemon Meringue Pie" is in order. And with a squillion of the most juicy bush lemons to use up... let's to it I say!!

Pastry:
1/2 cup self raising flour
3/4 cup plus one tablespoon plain flour ( don't ask me why!!!)
2 scant tablespoons caster sugar
120g cold butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg


Lemon Filling:
5 scant tablespoons cornflour
3/4 cup caster sugar
2/3 cup (and a bit of an extra squeeze) of lemon juice
230ml water
60g butter, cut into pieces
3 large egg yolks

Meringue:
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup caster sugar

To make the pastry, place flours, sugar and butter in a food processor and process on medium for about 20 seconds until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs (Nanna Chapman would have used her fingers!!) Add egg and process on medium until egg is incorporated and mixture clumps together. Form dough into a flattened round and pop in the fridge for at least an hour.

For lemon filling put cornflour, sugar, lemon juice and water in a medium saucepan. Stir until smooth. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and stir constantly until mixture reaches the boil. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until mixture changes form cloudy to transparent and becomes thick and smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and vigorously stir in butter and egg yolks. Chill in fridge.


Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured board to fir a 23cm pie dish. Press into dish. Blind bake pastry shell for 10 minutes. Remove rice/weights and cook for a further 10-15 minutes. When cool, spoon lemon filling in and spread evenly. Turn oven up to 200.

To make meringue, beat egg whites on high until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually beating well after each addition. Once all the sugar has been added keep beating until mixture is thick and glossy. Dollop meringue on top of lemon filling and spread to cover. Form peaks with a spoon to make it oh so glorious and snow capped mountain like.

Bake for about 7-10 minutes or until meringue is lightly coloured.

Eat ginormous chunks with double cream or ice cream...or both! And then gloat at your Nanna Chapman domestic skills!!!

13 comments:

  1. That pie looks Yummo!! I'm hungry now.

    I've finished my softies for the dolly drives... just gotta decide which ones to send where now. Should have them in the post to you this week.

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  2. Oh my YUM! I really have to try this! Thanks so much for sharing.
    Sophie x

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  3. Oh yum... I am suddenly very hungry. Have a great week Steph:) Coffee next week?

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  4. Yummo, thanks for sharing your Nanna Cahpman's recipe. I'm going to try this one :)

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  5. YUM! Oh, I want a piece right now.

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  6. Looks delicious! Will definitely try it out...

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  7. That looks delicious!! And those lemons are gorgeous funny looking things!

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  8. Yumm looks good :). How us your Mum? See you tomorrow.

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  9. how beautiful. looks sooooo delicious and the fact it was your nanna's recipe makes it 1000x more special!

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  10. This is very similar to my lemon meringue recipe which my mother taught me. Isn't it just the best? It makes grown men go weak at the knees. Might whip up one tonight!

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  11. Mouth watering! My memories are of my Mum making lemon meringue pie for dessert. As soon as we got home from school and saw the Sunbeam Mixmaster, we knew what was for dessert that night! Yummy lemony and meringue-y goodness.

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  12. oh Steph - I could just lick the screen it looks divine and how gorgeous does your bowl of proper lemons look all nobly and bumby!! I need to go for a walk and snag me some home grown lemons from around the neighbourhood and whip this one up!! I'm sure you did your nanna proud - lots of love b xx

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  13. oh yum.
    i reckon if you can perfect the humble lemon meringue pie, that you can conquer anything!
    mmmm. I might add that to the weekend menu!
    What a divine little blog you have.
    I'm looking forward to peeling back the pages.
    xx Amy

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x