Lemon Meringue Tart

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Homemade lemon meringue with a crispy topping

Ingredients:

For the pastry:

  • 175g plain flour
  • 100g cold butter, cut in small pieces
  • 1 tbsp icing sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
For the filling:
  • 2 level tbsp cornflour (Maizena)
  • 100g caster sugar
  • finely grated zest of 2 large lemons
  • 125ml fresh lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
  • juice of 1 small orange
  • 85g butter, cut into pieces
  • 3 egg yolks and a 1 whole egg
For the meringue
  • 4 egg whites, room temperature
  • 200 g caster sugar
  • 2 level tsp cornflour (Maizena)
For the pastry, put plain flour, cold butter, cut into small pieces, icing sugar, egg yolk (save the white for the meringue) and cold water into a food processor. Using the pulse button so the mix is not overworked, process until the mix starts to bind. Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges. Press pastry into flutes. The pastry is quite rich, so don’t worry if it cracks, just press it back together. Prick the base with a fork, line with foil, shiny side down, and chill for ¹⁄2 1 hour (or overnight). 

 Put a baking sheet in the oven and heat oven to 200C or 180C fan. Bake the pastry case ‘blind’ (filled with dry beans) for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside. Can be done a day ahead if you want to get ahead. Lower the oven to 180C or 160 fan. 

 While the pastry bakes, prepare the filling: mix 2 level tbsp cornflour, caster sugar and finely grated zest of 2 large lemons in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in lemon juice gradually. Make the juice of 1 small orange up to with water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in butter until melted. Beat 3 egg yolks (save white for meringue) and 1 whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and plops from the spoon. (It will bubble, but doesn’t curdle.) Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue. 

 Put egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half of the caster sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. Whisk in cornflour, then add the remaining half of the caster sugar as before until smooth and thick. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling (if you start in the middle the meringue may sink), then spread so it just touches the pastry (this will anchor it and help stop it sliding). Pile the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling (and starts to cook), then give it all a swirl. Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins, then remove and leave for at least another ¹⁄2 1 hr before slicing. Eat the same day

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