Not Your Usual Lemon Meringue Pie Recipes

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-inch tart pan with removable bottom with some oil.
• Pulse the butter, sugar, salt and cookies in a food processor until combined. Firmly press the crumb mixture into the prepared tart pan (the mixture will come only halfway up the sides). Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
• For the filling: In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the milk and 1 cup water and continue to whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking, until the mixture comes to a boil, 3 to 5 minutes; it will start to thicken to a custard-like texture.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Gradually mix the yolks into the thickened cornstarch mixture in the saucepan. Continue to whisk until combined, then remove from the heat. Whisk in the butter and lemon zest and juice. Let cool slightly, then whisk in the tequila. Cover the filling with plastic wrap and set aside.
• For the meringue: With an electric mixer in a large bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar and a pinch of salt until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. On slow speed, gradually add the sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form, another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour the filling into the tart pan and spread over the crust. Pipe dollops of the meringue with peaks all atop the filling in circles. Bake until the meringue peaks turn light brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Chill the tart until completely set, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: In a mixing bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and sugar until combined. Then, stir in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.
• For the filling: In a medium bowl, mix the condensed milk, lemon juice, zest and egg yolks, reserving the whites for the meringue. Pour the mixture into the crust.
• For the meringue: Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form, then add the sugar and whip until peaks are stiff.
• Spread the meringue over the pie and seal to the edge of the crust. Bake until the meringue browns slightly, 15 to 20 minutes. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add 3 tablespoons cold water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. , Roll out dough to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer crust to pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned., Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. , Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling 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. Gently stir in butter and lemon zest. Gradually stir in lemon juice just until combined. Pour into the crust., For meringue, in a saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in cold water. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is clear. Transfer to a bowl; cool., Beat egg whites and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat in cornstarch mixture on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edge to crust., Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.