ARDELL'S LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Lemon Pie

1 1/4 c. Sugar

6 Tbsp. Cornstarch

2 c. water

1/3 c. lemon juice

3 large egg yolks (save the whites)

1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract

3 Tbsp. butter

In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar & cornstarch. Gradually stir in water, and cook over medium heat. Stir in the egg yolks.   Continue to stir until mixture reaches smooth consistency.  Once the mixture has started to thicken and bubble, reduce heat to low and continue stirring for 2 minutes before removing from heat. 

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, lemon extract, and butter. 

Pour mixture into baked shell. 

Meringue: 

1 Tbsp. Cornstarch 3 egg whites

2 Tbsp. Cold Water 6 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. cream of tarter 1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. Boiling Water Pinch of salt

Blend cornstarch with cold water in bowl and then add to boiling water in small saucepan, stir & cook until clear.  Cool completely. 

Whip egg whites until foamy, add cream of tarter and gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, but not dry.  Turn to low speed and add vanilla & salt.  Gradually beat in the cooked cornstarch mixture.  Turn to high speed and beat well.  Spread on pie  starting at outer edge and peaking in the middle (make sure to leave no gaps) and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until the meringue is golden brown.

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When we first moved to Irene SD, Ardell and her husband, Clinton, did landscaping jobs. They always had their two grandsons, Matthew and Scott, with them. Ardell was a perfectionist; her work was perfection only I was walking past her house one morning and saw that she and her husband were doing their best to destroy a bed of daisies! I love daisies so I was astounded! Ardell told me the daisies would take over the entire yard if they didn’t control them. I told her I’ve tried to grow them – unsuccessfully! That evening Ardell delivered rooted daisies to me. I did plant them but like the others I’d planted, they didn’t grow either! She passed away recently. she was nearly 90 years old and up until then she maintained a spotless home. Her windows were so clean they squeaked! After Clinton’s death her granddaughter, Suzanne, (who is married to my grandson) spent her lunch hours with her; the stories surrounding those lunch breaks were always interesting and fun. Suzanne said that her Grandma Ardell made the above Lemon Meringue Pie every year for her birthday. This is just one of Ardell’s many great recipes.

This photo is Ardell with her husband, Clinton, when they were young.

(An added note - Clinton was a member of an entertainment group. He played keyboard and sang. Their daughter told me they took their two kids with them wherever Clinton's group entertained. She said she remembers falling asleep behind the piano many times. Good memories.)