Just Another Birthday

going on 90

Authentic Florida's Key Lime Pie 

Pie Shell

• 1/3 of a 1-pound box of graham crackers
• 5 Tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup of sugar 

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes - cool

OR use store-bought graham cracker crust

Pie Filling

• 4 egg yolks (save whites for meringue)
• 2 teaspoons of lime zest - zest before you squeeze the juice
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice (approximately 24-36 limes depending on freshness of limes), or 6-8 regular fresh limes (again, depending on freshness)

Preheat oven to 350

In an electric mixer with the wire whisk attachment, beat the 4 egg yolks and 2 teaspoons of lime zest at high speed until very fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Gradually add the can of condensed milk and continue to beat until thick, 3 or 4 minutes longer.  Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the 2/3 cup of lime juice, mixing just until combined, no longer. Pour the mixture into the crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until the filling has just set. Cool on a wire rack. 

Meringue Topping

• 4 egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon, cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Prepare meringue and spread over filling - seal to edge of crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.  Place in the refrigerator and let it chill for 2-3 hours.

OR use whipped cream

Jo didn't want traditional birthday cake this year for her 89th birthday so Sis Faye brought a smorgasbord of 'store bought' pies for everyone. Strawberry. Coconut Cream. Chocolate.  Fake Key Lime and Real Key Lime.

Real Key Lime won.

SOURCE: Found this in Jo's recipes from Authentic Florida (2015)

special guest - Zippy Phillips