serves
8–10
prep
40 minutes
cook
40 minutes
difficulty
Mid
serves
8–10
people
preparation
40
minutes
cooking
40
minutes
difficulty
Mid
level
Ingredients
- 1 quantity , shaped into a disc before wrapping and chilling
Lemon filling
- 40g (⅓ cup) cornflour
- 200ml strained freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 80ml (⅓ cup) water
- 220g (1 cup) caster sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 100g butter, diced
Meringue topping
- 4 egg whites
- pinch of salt
- 220g (1 cup) caster sugar
Chilling time 2 hours
Cooling time 30 minutes
Allow an extra 40 minutes to make the pastry.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 200°C.
Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out the pastry on a lightly floured bench top to a round about 3 mm thick. Line an ungreased 22 cm diameter (base measurement), 3 cm deep pie plate with the pastry. Use a small sharp knife to trim any excess pastry.
Place the pastry case on an oven tray and use a fork to prick the base about 12 times. Line the pastry case with baking paper or foil and fill with pastry weights, dried beans or raw rice, making sure they fill the case. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the pastry case from the oven and use the paper or the foil to lift the weights out of the case. Return the case to the oven and bake for a further 15 minutes or until the pastry is just cooked through and looks dry. Set aside to cool.
To make the lemon filling, place the cornflour in a medium saucepan. Use a balloon whisk to gradually stir in the combined lemon juice and water until smooth and well combined. Stir in the sugar, egg yolks and butter. Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until the butter melts. Continue to stir over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture simmers and thickens. Pour immediately into the pastry shell and use the back of a metal spoon to smooth the surface. Set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Cover and chill for 2 hours or until the filling is set.
When ready to serve, preheat oven to 240°C.
To make the meringue topping, use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to whisk the egg whites and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. With the motor running, gradually add the sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking well after each addition until the mixture is very thick and glossy and all the sugar has dissolved. Use a spatula or large metal spoon to stir the meringue mixture gently to expel any excess air. Spread the meringue mixture over the top of the lemon filling, swirling as desired. Bake in preheated oven for 5-10 minutes or until browned on the edges (see Baker’s tips). Stand for 5 minutes before scooping with a large metal spoon or cutting into wedges with a sharp knife that has been dipped in hot water (see Baker’s tips).
Baker’s tips
• This pie is best eaten the day it is made.
• You can also use a blowtorch to caramelise the meringue topping instead of returning it to the oven in step 7.
• Dipping the spoon or knife in hot water and drying before scooping or cutting will make it easier.
Anneka's mission is to connect home cooks with the magic of baking, and through this, with those they love. Read our with her or for hands-on baking classes and baking tips, visit her at . Don't miss what's coming out of her oven via , , and .
Photography by Alan Benson. Styling by Sarah O’Brien. Food preparation by Kerrie Ray. Creative concept by Lou Fay.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
