Contest Winning Raspberry Meringue Pie Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING RASPBERRY CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Combine the wafer crumbs, pecans and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. pie plate., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, liqueur and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Spread into crust. Chill until serving., In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water and 1-1/2 cups raspberries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate until chilled., Spread topping over filling. Garnish with remaining berries.

CONTEST-WINNING RASPBERRY MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir in a small amount of mixture 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; stir in butter and extract. Pour hot filling into the crust., Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water; let stand for 2 minutes. In a saucepan, bring raspberry filling and gelatin mixture to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining water. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time on high until stiff glossy peaks form., Pour hot raspberry filling over custard. Spread meringue evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Bake at 325° for 15-18 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

RASPBERRY ROSE MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• Make the pastry: Measure the flour and icing sugar into a bowl and rub in the butter until resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add egg yolk and a little water until just comes together (use as little water as possible for the shortest crumbliest pastry). This can be done in a food processor if preferred. Chill for 30 minutes and use to line a 9inch/23cm fluted loose bottomed flan tin. If pastry is difficult to roll out just press into the bottom and sides of the tin allowing the pastry to stand above the sides of tin (this can be trimmed off neatly once cooked). Line with greaseproof paper and baking beans and bake blind for 15 minutes, removing the paper and beans and bake for a further five minutes. Leave to cool while you make the filling. Lower the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2 (Fan 130°C).
• For the raspberry filling: Wash the raspberries and blitz in a food processor. Press the raspberries through a sieve to obtain as much juice as possible and whisk the cornflour into this juice, mixing thoroughly. Put the water into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour the raspberry and cornflour mixture into the water whisking constantly until thickens. Mix the egg yolks into the sugar and whisk this into the thickened raspberry custard. Bring back to the boil whisking all the time. Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little before pouring into the pastry case.
• For the meringue: Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl with a hand whisk until they form stiff peaks. Whisk in the sugar a dessertspoon at a time adding the rosewater with the last addition. Spread over the raspberry custard ensuring there are no gaps and bake for 45 mins until golden beige and crisp. Remove from oven and scatter with the toasted almonds or petals if using.
• For the rose syrup: Dissolve the sugar in the rosewater in a small saucepan and bring to the boil, simmer for a minute or two and leave to cool before drizzling all over the pie. Serve with lightly whipped cream and extra syrup if liked.

CONTEST-WINNING RHUBARB MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• Make a pie crust: In a bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar; cut in shortening until crumbly. Combine egg and vinegar; sprinkle over crumb mixture. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 inches beyond edge of plate; flute edges.
• Place rhubarb in crust. Whisk the sugar, flour, salt, egg yolks and cream; pour over rhubarb. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
• In a small saucepan, combine 4 teaspoons sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool to room temperature.
• In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Add cornstarch mixture; beat on high until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.
• Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 6-8 servings.
• Note: If using frozen rhubarb, measure rhubarb while still frozen, then thaw completely. Drain in a colander, but do not press liquid out.