For some reason, I just never got the hang of meringues. Everything else - not too bad. My crusts are pretty darn tasty, my fillings always draw rave reviews but my toppings - well let's just say there is a lot of weeping involved.
With the help of the Daring Bakers, I had hoped that this time I would be the victor - but no! I failed again.
First lesson - don't bite off more than you can chew. I had decided that a lemon meringue pie would be the perfect dessert to a baked ham, macaroni and cheese and green bean dinner. Comfort food x 10000000000. Home made pie for dessert! Oh yes! I would score big time on the home front!
Ummmm yeah. Not how it turned out at all. Dinner came out fine - but I was so focused on the main meal I total ruined the pie.
That's the second lesson here - remember to set your timer. First, I took the weights out too early and the damn crust shrunk up. It wasn't deep dish - it was a shallow saucer crust. Then I forgot to take it out and it got a little too toasty. Sigh.
Next - the filling came out great. I loved how tart it was. Nothing like four lemons worth of juice to get your pucker on. Of course since my "tart" (that was now it's official designation) was so shallow, I had tons left over. So I have a couple of custard cups left in the fridge. I plan on eating that out of the fridge as a midnight snack later on tonight.
Lastly - Lesson number three - never rush the meringue. Yes - it looked great but it wept like a baby who wants its mommy. So I got it over with quickly - served it, and let everyone make fun of me. So there!
Humbled again! Ah well - I think I will try the suggestions from the Daring Baker's board about cooking meringue in Cookwise. Maybe - just maybe-I can have a happy smiling pie just once. A girl can dream can't she?
PS Thanks to Jen (Canadian Baker) for giving me the chance to try try again!
24 comments:
But...but...but... how did it taste? Your photograph's wonderfully rustic, and surely it tasted good?
Actually - it did taste ok. The filling was good and the crust was tough and over done. Just not my best effort.
oh I think you did well, lets look forward to the next one! :)
lovely pie!
But your pie looks ok. Not "hedgehoggy" I know but thats ok I think.
Btw, some DBs apparently had their pies throw up on them!
Better luck next time.
It looks lovely!
Hahaha.. I love your writing style. And your determination. Good luck for future weep-free meringues!
I am not a fan of lemon meringue pie but my grandma no longer with us made them often. My mother, aunt and grandma would then crtique the crust, the filling and of course the meringue. Thanks for the memories. Love you blog.
Ah yes. My meringue was troubled as well....It takes a long to time to get it to a satisfactory STIFF level, if you know what I mean...
but good work!
Wept like a baby, LOL!!!! I think most people had that same problem, at least yours didn't leave a film of baked egg whites on top like mine did. And what a great finale to a great comfort food meal!
It looks wonderful - you would never know by looking at it that you had problems with the meringue!
If you hadn't mentioned the mishaps no one would have every known! Your pie looks fantastic! I wish I would've thought about saving the extra filling..hmm...maybe next time!
Thanks for all the kind words folks! I didn't get a picture of the topping sliding off the filling - the cut pieces were kinda sad looking. But hey! If my bad attempt looks this good - how does that bode for my good attempt?
Aww ... sorry about the mishap. The pic looks perfect, if you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known! :)
Good luck for the next baking session!
Well, the photo came out nice and you'd never know you had such trouble! Sounds like a great dinner too!! :O)
Meringue is over-rated! Actually, I once knew someone who baked lovely crispy meringue pies. She did it seperately, on paper, then stuck it on the pie when it was time to serve - if I wasn't so lazy I'd give that a try.
Yeah, mine wept too! But, I poured it off and it tasted great. Your meringue looks so good, I want to wallow in it. Ski up and down the slopes.
I'm sorry the pie wasn't quite what you expected ... I still think you did a fantastic job!
Great job!
Oh, I'm sorry it was stressful on you. I am really impressed that you made it while preparing dinner too! What a champ. Good job, no matter the outcome. It looks terrific from here.
Well, I don't think that it looks too bad...in fact, it looks great! Glad you liked the curd.
You have to have fun with this - don't stress! Your pie looks great! And I LOVE the name of your blog!! Funny!
Awww Rosie.. don't give up! You will master the weepy meringue one day, I can feel it! :)
It does look lovely though. My family's motto is - it doesn't matter what it looks like, it's how it tastes that counts!
Yeah yeah, I know.. that doesn't help when you really want to make a tasty AND pretty pie.
Regardless.. great DB effort!! And holy hell could you have made me drool much more with the mention of ham and mac & cheese. *swoon*
xoxo
Thanks for all the great comments - is there support program for people with weepy pies? If not we should start one. That way we can share our delicious mistakes!
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