MINI STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, mix 2 1/2 cups flour and the salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of small peas. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary). Gather pastry into a ball. Divide pastry in half, and shape into 2 rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds in plastic wrap, and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.
• In large bowl, mix sugar, 1/2 cup flour and the orange zest. Stir in rhubarb and strawberries. Using floured rolling pin, roll one round of pastry on lightly floured surface (or pastry board with floured pastry cloth) into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths, and place in pie plate, or roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to pie plate. Unfold or unroll pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side and being careful not to stretch pastry, which will cause it to shrink when baked. Add filling mixture. Dot with butter.
• Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Roll out second pastry round. Fold into fourths, and place over filling, or roll loosely around rolling pin and place over filling. Unfold or unroll pastry over filling. Cut slits in pastry so steam can escape. Trim overhanging edge of top pastry 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold edge of top crust under bottom crust, forming a stand-up rim of pastry that is even thickness on edge of pie plate, pressing on rim to seal; flute edges.
• Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake on parchment-covered baking sheet 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Remove foil, and continue to bake 35 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust. Serve warm or cool.

Steps:

• For the meringues: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cornstarch and set aside.
• Wipe a metal, glass or ceramic bowl out with paper towel and add in the egg whites and salt. Using a hand mixer, whip the egg whites on high until soft, foamy peaks form. With the mixer running, slowly sprinkle in the sugar mixture and continue to whip until the meringue is glossy and stiff peaks hold when the beaters are lifted out of the mixture.
• Whip in the vanilla. Using a large spoon, drop four large dollops of the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet, creating an indentation in the middle of each.
• Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and allow the meringues to sit in the oven until cooled completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the toppings: Meanwhile, combine the strawberries and rhubarb in a small saucepan with the wine or water and 1/4 cup sugar. Place over medium-low heat and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fruit starts to break down and becomes jammy. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to assemble.
• Just before serving, whip the cream with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and the vanilla. To serve, dollop whipped cream in the center of each pavlova and top with the fruit and a scattering of toasted almonds.