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The Lady & Sons


1,000 Italian Recipes

Monday, January 28, 2008

A Sunny Welcome to the New Year!

Did January fly by or what? That's NOT a complaint, btw.. the quicker winter gets the flock outta Ohio, the happier I'll be! :)

When Jen, our lovely January hostess and author of The Canadian Baker announced what this month's challenge was going to be, I was a little distraught. Lemon Meringue Pie.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Some of you might remember way back when we made The Martha's Craptastic Crepe Cake. I had originally wanted to fill my crepe layers with a blood orange curd. currdddddddd kuh uurrrrddddddddd Ugh the sound of it still gives me the willies. So when I knew I'd be attempting another curd, I was shaking in my black fuzzy slippers.

Lemon Meringue Pie

I had no problems with the crust.. I used all the water, but didn't add any more. It was pretty dry when I turned it out onto the counter, but I just kept smooshing until I could get it all together. I wrapped it and threw it into the fridge for a while and when I needed it, it rolled out nicely.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Amazingly, I have no horror stories for you guys this month! I KNOW! Can you believe it?? My curd turned out beautiful.. there wasn't even a whiff of ass this time. Bonus. I was a little disturbed when the cornstarch, sugar and water concoction started to thicken.. And I know I wasn't the only one, so don't even pretend you didn't think this exact same thing! "I've just cooked myself up a batch of snot." I wasn't expecting that.. but I carried on and was rewarded with a thick and creamy, quite tart, lemon curd.

Lemon Meringue Pie
My pretty crust broke :(

Although I was extremely pleased with myself that I did not end up with lemony scrambled eggs, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the taste of it. As Helene can attest, it was too tart for me, but after thinking on that I realized that, DUH.. it should be tart because the meringue is so sweet. They'll balance each other nicely - and they did!

Lemon Meringue Pie

The meringue, again, I had no problems.. they whipped up all nice and poofy! I did not bake the meringue though. I had an opportunity to try a torch for the first time, so I went for it. Ask me what kind of torch.. go ahead.. ask me.. I used a Bernz-O-Matic torch! That's a small, propane fueled torch that is used for saudering pipes. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I still crack up at the thought of Hubbs and I taking turns weilding that thing on my vulnerable meringue. teeee! But it was fun! I am so buying a lil kitchen torch now! One where I won't need to wear a welder's helmut for protection! 'kay nooooo.. we didn't wear the welder's helmut. But that would have made a lovely photo. Next time maybe. :)

Lemon Meringue Pie

Speaking of Hubbs, he is an LMP connoisseur as it's his favorite dessert of all time. So I was a bit nervous when I served him the first slice, which, btw, did not produce a puddle of liquid and did hold it's shape beautifully. The look on his face was priceless after he took his first bite. He put the plate down and gave me a hug! Said it was the best LMP he'd ever had.. so, I guess it was good! hehehe

Great big thanks to Jen for picking a really nice challenge this month! And huge, huge thanks to all of the Daring Bakers and our soon-to-be Daring Bakers.. we're over 500 strong now! Woot! Please, click on the Daring Baker link to the right and go check out some of the best lookin' Lemon Meringue Pies that you'll ever see. :)

Lemon Meringue Pie

xoxo

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Comments on "A Sunny Welcome to the New Year!"

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/28/2008 1:15 PM) : 

you can see you used a blow torch on this, it makes it all the more striking!

given me lemon snot anyday! haha! gross, still somehow doesn't put me off!

Your pie is fab! x

 

Blogger Susan @ SGCC said ... (1/28/2008 1:39 PM) : 

Great job! The pie looks beautiful. I'm glad it went smoothly for you.

 

Blogger David T. Macknet said ... (1/28/2008 2:02 PM) : 

What a marvelous idea! That would preserve the meringue, leaving it light & fluffy, rather than cooking it (which made it rather eggy). Beautiful!

 

Blogger Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said ... (1/28/2008 2:07 PM) : 

Wow -- 500 Daring Bakers! What a wonderful project. And your pie looks beautiful. Love that torched meringue!!

 

Blogger Proud Italian Cook said ... (1/28/2008 2:12 PM) : 

I just love the look the torch gives it! Great job!

 

Blogger LAmonkeygirl said ... (1/28/2008 2:16 PM) : 

Beautiful job, Lis. And I like your description of the cornstarch "snot." That's exactly what it looked like! I almost gave it a hankie and said, gehzunteit.

 

Blogger Gretchen Noelle said ... (1/28/2008 2:19 PM) : 

This looks beautiful and how great to hear you had no problems to report! I was wondering how you browned only the tips of the meringue...now I know! Great job!

 

Blogger Suzana Parreira said ... (1/28/2008 2:25 PM) : 

Lisa, your pie (and especially the meringue!) looks lovely - I love the pretty soft peaks!

 

Blogger Gabi said ... (1/28/2008 2:46 PM) : 

I want to see a picture of you with that torch! hehe
I had the same snot thoughts- I admit it. Your pie turned out
gee-orgeous!
xoxo

 

Blogger Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said ... (1/28/2008 2:59 PM) : 

Snot...hahahahahahahahaha!!

 

Blogger Nikki57 said ... (1/28/2008 3:00 PM) : 

I admit I was a little freaked out about the snot in my pot, but then it became a massive wad of snot and I was slightly entertained :P

 

Blogger Pixie said ... (1/28/2008 3:03 PM) : 

lol Fab entry, wonderful pie!

 

Blogger FreshAdriaticFish said ... (1/28/2008 3:28 PM) : 

Looks great!
How did you succeed to get such a contras on meringue - it's white with dark horn while mine has all turned goldish?
sanja

 

Blogger Kelly said ... (1/28/2008 3:34 PM) : 

Lis, your posts don't make me smile, they make me laugh...loudly!! Which is wonderful although I should probably refrain from reading at work to avoid the strange looks from coworkers. What a great post and a beautiful looking pie. :p

 

Blogger Madam Chow said ... (1/28/2008 3:41 PM) : 

I just LOVED this story! Everything from the blowtorch, to the hug, to the Craptastic Cake. That last story, along with the comments about how your other curd smelled, had me snorting my cup of coffee up my nose, I was laughing so hard! Thank you for a great laugh, and for the pics of your lovely tart.

 

Blogger slush said ... (1/28/2008 3:41 PM) : 

Gorgeous pie! Torched meringue is so pretty. Glad you had fun with the torch too. Id love to have a kitchen torch!

 

Blogger Jenny said ... (1/28/2008 3:45 PM) : 

Woot! You kicked the curds butt this time! Big cheers for you!
I admit, I almost called my neighbor to borrow his blow torch to do mine, but wimped out. I need to buy a mini one too.

 

Blogger Morven said ... (1/28/2008 4:17 PM) : 

Yeah baby!! Great looking pie. Glad that the hubster enjoyed it.

 

Blogger creampuff said ... (1/28/2008 4:22 PM) : 

Remind me to always give you bruleeing duties from now on! As always, such a funny post. I hope we get to bake together some day because I know we'd have a blast! (no pun intended with the torch ...) Anyway, your pie is spectacular!

 

Blogger MyKitchenInHalfCups said ... (1/28/2008 4:38 PM) : 

Fantastic meringue tips Lisa!! Just like the pastry queen! I thought this was a good pie but it sure caused problems for lots of us and with plenty of variety.

 

Blogger Lesley said ... (1/28/2008 4:55 PM) : 

Such pretty meringue, Lis. I'd love a bite of that pie!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/28/2008 5:03 PM) : 

Thank you! Next time I will know what I should pray for my curd not to smell like. Beautiful pie.

 

Blogger Annemarie said ... (1/28/2008 5:50 PM) : 

That's very sweet how much your husband loved it. It may have been because you brought the manly FLAME THROWER into the proceedings, but I'm sure it was more to do with the pie. ;)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/28/2008 6:03 PM) : 

Ooh, the torch makes for a very pretty multi-hued meringue. Love it!

 

Blogger The Baker & The Curry Maker said ... (1/28/2008 6:33 PM) : 

It looks wonderful! I always enjoy reading your writing, thank you. It did look like snot BTW!!

 

Blogger Steph F. said ... (1/28/2008 7:18 PM) : 

Oh it's beautiful! Where do you plan on getting a torch? I kind of want one now, too! haha :)

 

Blogger Laura Rebecca said ... (1/28/2008 8:16 PM) : 

Lis, your pie looks GREAT! (I am so jealous of your toasted meringue peaks; they're so pretty.)

 

Blogger Veron said ... (1/28/2008 8:27 PM) : 

ha...haa.. we are such sisters. That torch did cross my mind too. beautiful pie, sis!

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (1/28/2008 8:28 PM) : 

This looks great. Although I've never made a curd before and didn't know what to expect, I did wonder if I was doing it correctly when the mixture started to look like my strawberry pie filling. Alas, adding the eggs made it wonderful. I just LOVE the lemon taste.

 

Blogger Carla said ... (1/28/2008 8:32 PM) : 

I have torch envy! Great pie!

 

Blogger glamah16 said ... (1/28/2008 8:45 PM) : 

Absoulutely fantabolous!I want to get a blow torch now.

 

Blogger Tracy said ... (1/28/2008 9:21 PM) : 

Ohhh a torch ... you are one kick ass Daring Baker (I love a blog where I know I can use that expression).

And I agree that the curd looked like snot at first. I just wish I had thought of that analogy first.

 

Blogger Cakelaw said ... (1/28/2008 9:31 PM) : 

Yummo - love the little peaks on the meringue.

 

Blogger ... said ... (1/28/2008 9:42 PM) : 

How did you do that? You're pie looks like it's drizzled with chocolate or something.
oh, well... back to the drawing board.

 

Blogger Chris said ... (1/28/2008 9:47 PM) : 

Ah! I just laughed so loud! The snot thought traveled through Atlanta....especially when I put a little on a spoon to see what it was, exactly. Then, not realizing, I flung the spoon...so did the mixture...and it stuck to the cabinet. I was rushing to get the post written, I completely forgot about it.
Looks Delish!

 

Blogger Caribbean Dreamer said ... (1/28/2008 10:02 PM) : 

looks lovely! I love LMP too!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/28/2008 10:29 PM) : 

you used a real blow-torch yet have no horror stories for me? Missy, I´m thoroughly disappointed in you!
But I´m with W in loving lemon meringue pie and I´m glad you conquered the mighty curd, so I´m gonna let you off the hook this time around ;)
By the way, killer pictures, especially the one with the fork is killing me right now being 1:30am and the LMP being long gone from here.

 

Blogger Valerie Harrison (bellini) said ... (1/28/2008 10:47 PM) : 

I can just see the two of you La Befina and Hubs with a blow torch in hand. Each site I have visited each lemon meringue pie looks vastly different...I am just amazed!

 

Blogger mimi said ... (1/28/2008 11:32 PM) : 

i love the way your meringue came out! it looks so airy and fluffy.

 

Blogger Aparna Balasubramanian said ... (1/29/2008 12:27 AM) : 

Quite a lovely pie. Its nice to see a well set lemon filling after my slightly wobbly one!
Thanks for including me in the DB community. Really enjoyed this month's challenge and look forward to the next one.

 

Blogger Sweet and Savory Eats said ... (1/29/2008 1:53 AM) : 

The torch really makes a difference. I didn't even think to use my kitchen torch. Next time ... Beautiful pie.

 

Blogger eatme_delicious said ... (1/29/2008 2:01 AM) : 

Looks great! Nice torching job.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 2:06 AM) : 

It looks fabulous! That meringue is so fluffy, I want to do a swan dive into it!

 

Blogger Peabody said ... (1/29/2008 2:22 AM) : 

Way to successfully battle the curd this time around. I made mine with Meyer lemons so it was not as tart.
Glad that your hubby loved the pie!

 

Blogger Karen Baking Soda said ... (1/29/2008 2:46 AM) : 

ahah...we want pics of fuzzy black slippers, the helmet ánd the blow torch! C'm on don't be shy!
Great pie, Lis!

 

Blogger Marie Rayner said ... (1/29/2008 2:58 AM) : 

Beautiful looking pie Lis! a picture of you in a welder's helmet would have been sweet!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 3:09 AM) : 

Wow, this is not easy. I have not dared attempt this yet. I just started making a lemon curd for my lemon sponge cake and that was a semi-success. Hopefully, I'll be able to create what you've made. It looks delicious! Wish me luck!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 5:27 AM) : 

It looks fantastically delish!

 

Blogger Inne said ... (1/29/2008 5:41 AM) : 

Great looking tart, Lis. I love the squiggles of your meringue. Blowtorches are fun, you're right. I was given one for my birthday and my man can't stop playing around with it.

 

Blogger Amanda at Little Foodies said ... (1/29/2008 7:22 AM) : 

Ah, lemon snot - our favourite!

I can just imagine you donning protective clothing and a mask to torch the top of your meringue. I know you didn't but it would have been fun, right.

Looks great!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 10:26 AM) : 

Good post, great pie :)

 

Blogger Lori said ... (1/29/2008 11:09 AM) : 

Your meringue looks so beautiful! I wish that my pie would've been a non-liquid weeping pie. My poor husband had to change pants b/c the liquid from my pie leaked on him during transport. At least it tasted good!

 

Blogger Tempered Woman said ... (1/29/2008 11:57 AM) : 

Never resist an opportunity to use a blowtorch in the kitchen! The pie looks beautiful and congrats on getting a hug. I really liked the pie as well. It should crack you up that someone mentioned trying this same recipe with blood oranges. Maybe you were the inspiration- hah!

 

Blogger Beth G. @SweetLifeKitchen said ... (1/29/2008 11:57 AM) : 

It looks fantastic! My hubby was dying to torch ours but I wussed out and told him we had to bake it, I'll have to whip out the flames next time! You did a beautiful job :)

 

Blogger KayKat said ... (1/29/2008 12:18 PM) : 

Yum! I love the meringue flames - so pretty :)

 

Blogger Deborah said ... (1/29/2008 1:26 PM) : 

What a beautiful pie!! And it sounds like the torch was all kinds of fun!

 

Blogger thepassionatecook said ... (1/29/2008 2:29 PM) : 

i've never tried a blowtorch on meringue before, but it does make sense. looks very pretty this way, great job!

 

Blogger Cheryl said ... (1/29/2008 3:06 PM) : 

No smell of ass, win win.

You in the protective helmet? I would pay serious money for that.

And I hate you for being so good at making the decorative crust. I found out I have no skill at that this past weekend.

 

Blogger Meeta K. Wolff said ... (1/29/2008 3:12 PM) : 

are we really that many now? WOW!!!! I was just telling Hilda how I love the results the blow torch gave on her pie and here i see it again. simply awesome!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 3:42 PM) : 

Your pie looks perfect! Blow torching it makes it so much prettier, I need one too!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 4:25 PM) : 

What a marvelous idea to use a blow torch! Great looking pie!

 

Blogger kellypea said ... (1/29/2008 5:15 PM) : 

OMG, Lis. Those soft focus shots are totally food porn. And I completely forgot about my torch. What a dork. Your meringue is gorgeous. TOTALLY. And I'm thinking you may have to have a second go and make things go wrong so I can have my monthly fix of your kitchen adventures. Hugs and all that kinda stuff.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 5:55 PM) : 

great great great !!!!!
I loved this first challenge as well and I had a very good time baking this lemon pie :)

 

Blogger Andrea said ... (1/29/2008 7:33 PM) : 

Gorgeous pie! And what fun that you got to use a blow torch!

 

Blogger Barbara said ... (1/29/2008 9:14 PM) : 

OMG, I thought the same thing about the cornstarch and sugar mixture when it thickened up!
Your pie looks lovely!

 

Blogger jasmine said ... (1/29/2008 9:21 PM) : 

Oh Lis...I see your pie and I immediately think of skiers on the Swiss Alps...

j

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/29/2008 10:04 PM) : 

Great job on the challenge Lis! I love your blow-torch marks!!

 

Blogger Rachel said ... (1/29/2008 11:17 PM) : 

Ah ha! A blow torch gave that different look to your meringue..great to hear it went smoothly with you!

 

Blogger Elle said ... (1/30/2008 12:23 AM) : 

Conquered the dratted curd? Yeahhh! Your pie is beautiful and so glad the Hubbs liked it so well. Sweetie did, too. It's one of his favorites. Only downside of it going so well is we missed out on creative swearing, but the mental pic of you with blow torch made it all worthwhile :)

 

Blogger Wendy said ... (1/30/2008 12:53 AM) : 

Your pie looks gorgeous. I love all the swirls and curls. Lucky you - a torch! Lovely write-up and photos. Wendy

 

Blogger Rosa's Yummy Yums said ... (1/30/2008 3:15 AM) : 

Your pie looks absolutely gorgeous! And that meringue topping is ever so beautiful! Well done!

Cheers,

Rosa

 

Blogger Princess of the kitchen said ... (1/30/2008 6:52 AM) : 

Nice LMP. Looks beautiful. Well done!

 

Blogger steph- whisk/spoon said ... (1/30/2008 7:53 AM) : 

and your lemon filling is the color of sunshine--looks great!

 

Blogger cookworm said ... (1/30/2008 11:22 AM) : 

Lovely swirls of meringue you got there. I like the pies with the blowtorch best, and yours really looks good.

 

Blogger Madeleine said ... (1/30/2008 2:40 PM) : 

Your pie looks so perfect!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

 

Blogger Mary said ... (1/30/2008 4:34 PM) : 

Your pie looks fantastic! I wanted to get out the big blow torch, but my husband was afraid I would catch our house on fire so I had to use the little torch instead. :)

 

Blogger Esther said ... (1/30/2008 6:55 PM) : 

looks wonderful. Wish I'd been able to try it this month but I will be keeping it to try another time.

 

Blogger Dolores said ... (1/31/2008 12:09 AM) : 

A DB post from Lis without horror stories, but thankfully NOT without drama. That's some gorgeous yellow snot you've got there... And you can weld a meringue for me ANY time.

 

Blogger kitten said ... (1/31/2008 11:33 AM) : 

your pie looks scrumptious. i love how lacy and delicate your meringue looks. i always love reading your posts !!

 

Blogger Kelly-Jane said ... (1/31/2008 11:59 AM) : 

Sounds like you had fun with your pie :)Looks yummy!

 

Blogger Jen Yu said ... (1/31/2008 2:23 PM) : 

Dang, Lis! That pie is perfection - I love that you torched it too.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/31/2008 4:16 PM) : 

Gorgeous Pie! That lemon curd looks fabulous.

 

Blogger Engineer Baker said ... (1/31/2008 9:58 PM) : 

Absolutely beautiful! I come up with excuses to use blow torches in the kitchen - two things I love, baking and fire, together!

 

Blogger Sara said ... (2/01/2008 12:26 AM) : 

awesome dude! i love lmp that has no hint of ass! it looks great, i'm gonna have to get me a torch!

 

Blogger Lunch Buckets said ... (2/01/2008 9:29 PM) : 

No ass? What's the point? Nice curd by the way :)

 

Blogger Eva said ... (2/02/2008 1:28 AM) : 

Seeing your pie makes me want to buy a kitchen torch - simply looks much better that way!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2/03/2008 8:52 AM) : 

Awesome blow torch work! I've read that if you make a meringue with brown sugar and then torch it you get seriously dramatic caramel-colored results.

 

Blogger David T. Macknet said ... (2/03/2008 1:05 PM) : 

Truly marvelous looking meringue! Fabulous - and it's not just about the torch, but about the sculpting of the meringue beforehand, I'm sure!

 

Blogger Heather said ... (2/03/2008 4:17 PM) : 

I didn't get a hug, but I good a "tastes really good" and my dad thought it was the prettiest homemade LMP he'd ever seen.
I think yours looks great... would never thought I needed a torch.

 

Blogger Judy@nofearentertaining said ... (2/03/2008 8:55 PM) : 

Great looking pie!!! I so want a torch now!

 

Blogger Mer said ... (2/04/2008 11:15 PM) : 

I think it is so funny you used your husband's blow torch. It looks fantastic! :0)

 

Blogger Half Baked said ... (2/05/2008 8:56 AM) : 

Beautiful LMP! the blow torch really makes the meringue look great.
So nice to get the Hubs approval ;)

 

Blogger test it comm said ... (2/05/2008 6:56 PM) : 

Nice looking LMP! I like the scorch marks. And you got to play with a torch!

 

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