HOW TO BAKE MERINGUE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 110C/ 100C fan/gas ¼.
• Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick liner or parchment paper (meringue can stick on greaseproof paper and foil).
• Tip 4 large egg whites into a large clean mixing bowl (not plastic). Beat them on medium speed with an electric hand whisk until the mixture resembles a fluffy cloud and stands up in stiff peaks when the blades are lifted.
• Now turn the speed up and start to add 115g caster sugar, a dessertspoonful at a time. Continue beating for 3-4 seconds between each addition. It’s important to add the sugar slowly at this stage as it helps prevent the meringue from weeping later. However, don’t over-beat. When ready, the mixture should be thick and glossy.
• Sift one third of the 115g icing sugar over the mixture, then gently fold it in with a big metal spoon or rubber spatula. Continue to sift and fold in the remaining icing sugar a third at a time. Again, don’t over-mix. The mixture should now look smooth and billowy.
• Scoop up a heaped dessertspoonful of the mixture. Using another dessertspoon, ease it on to the baking sheet to make an oval shape. Or just drop them in rough rounds, if you prefer.
• Bake for 1 ½-1 ¾ hours in a fan oven, 1 ¼ hours in a conventional or gas oven, until the meringues sound crisp when tapped underneath and are a pale coffee colour.
• Leave to cool on the trays or a cooling rack. (The meringues will now keep in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks, or frozen for a month.) Serve two meringues sandwiched together with a generous dollop of softly whipped double cream.

Steps:

• MAKE PIE CRUST or use frozen/refrigerated. Cut shortening into flour in a large bowl until it looks like coarse crumbs. beat an egg, and pour over crumbs. Add water, vinegar and salt and stir gently to combine. Divide into 3 equal balls and flatten into discs. Wrap well with plastic wrap and freeze 2 for future use. Freeze one for 20 minutes, then roll out, line pie plate and flute the edges.
• BLIND BAKE. Lay a sheet of parchment paper or foil(sprayed the surface that touches the crust with non stick spray) over crust-and fill with dry beans, rice or pie weights. Bake @ 425 for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, lower heat to 375. Remove the parchment/foil and weights. Moisture proof the crust by applying egg wash with a pastry brush on the bottom of the crust and about an inch up the sides. Resume baking the crust for 5-7 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• MAKE MERINGUE (It needs to be ready as soon as the shell is filled) If you haven't separated your eggs, do so at this time, placing the whites in a CLEAN mixing bowl and the yolks in a medium saucepan. With CLEAN BEATERS begin to mix the egg whites on medium high. Beat to soft peak stage-to check from time to time-turn off mixer and lift some whites up with the beaters, the tip should softly flop over. Begin slowly sprinkling sugar a spoonfull at a time, while beating constantly, until all sugar is incorporated. Continue beating until sugar is dissolved(not gritty when tested with thumb and forefinger) And stiff peaks are formed. Set aside. Preheat oven to 325.
• PREPARE FILLING Empty pudding mix in the saucepan with yolks, add 3/4c sugar and whisk to incorporate, adding water a little at a time to avoid lumps. When all water is incorporated, place pan over medium to medium high heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until thickened and mixture reaches a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest.
• Pour immediately into prepared pie shell.
• Immedately spoon or pipe meringue mixture over hot filling, completely sealing to the crust and swirl as desired. Bake @ 325 for 15-20 minutes until tips of meringue are golden. Cool to room temperature or chill before serving.