For the lemon filling
1 cup water 1 cup FRESH lemon juice. (Squeeze it yourself!) 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/3 cup corn starch Lemon peel (2-4 lemons depending on your taste) 5 eggs, separatedIn a heavy medium saucepan add the sugar, corn starch and lemon peel. I like to take my veggie peeler and take off big strips of the peel, doing my best to avoid getting any of the white bitter pith. My favorite trick with this lemon pie is to rub the lemon peel between my fingers in the sugar mixture. This releases all of the lemon’s essential oils, thus giving a more delightful flavor.
Gradually add water and lemon juice, whisking until the cornstarch dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Add the yolks . Whisk to blend. Cook over medium-high heat until filling thickens and boils, using a rubber spatula mix constantly for about 8 minutes. Pour into prepared COOLED crust.
For the mountain of meringue
5 reserved egg whites (remember, you only used the yolks for the filling) 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/3 cup sugarUsing electric mixer, beat whites and the cream of tartar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff and shiny. Mound meringue atop lemon filling, spreading to make sure the filling is entirely covered to the crust.
Bake pie at 350 degrees until the meringue is golden, I check mine at 5 minutes, then again every 3 minutes or so until I get that nice golden glow of meringue. Some people have an issue of their meringue ‘weeping’ after a few hours. Sadly, this is not something that we have experienced. The pie is usually gone before the dessert dishes are cleared. If this is a problem that you encounter, or if you are making this pie for someone who should not (or does not), eat raw eggs then please follow the advice of Martha Stewart. She suggests that to prevent weeping, cook the meringue.
To do this, combine the sugar and egg whites in a heat-proof bowl and set over simmering water. Mix until the egg whites are warm, then remove from heat and add the cream of tartar. Beat into stiff peaks. Plop big beautiful mounds of meringue on the pie and follow the directions to complete.
I hope you enjoy this pie and create some fun family memories with food.