Best Lemon Meringue Pie

SUBMITTED BY: Sherie Crane

"Heres a tart and tangy, tiny-enough-for-two pie thats proof good things still come in small packages! Sent in by Sherie Crane of Wichita, Kansas. TIP: You can use a refrigerated prepared pie crust, but you wont use it all for this recipe."

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PREP TIME	45 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	55 Min

SERVINGS

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Servings
USMETRIC

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons water
FILLING:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
2 egg yolks, beaten
2 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
MERINGUE:
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to fit a 5-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate; trim to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate. Flute edges. Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450 degrees F for 5 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack.
For filling, in a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gradually stir 2 tablespoons hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter, lemon juice and peel. Pour into crust.
For meringue, in a small mixing bowl, beat egg white and lemon juice on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar on high until stiff, glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until meringue is golden. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

FOOTNOTE

Nutritional Analysis: 1 serving equals 577 calories, 21 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 223 mg cholesterol, 370 mg sodium, 89 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 8 g protein.