Meringue making.

[Thunderduck]

I'm planning on making a lemon meringue pie and would appreciate any advice/tips on making the meringue as this will be my first attempt.

[Biccy]

Make sure the bowl is really clean and dry. Whisk the egg whites until you can turn the bowl upside down and they don't fall out (honestly!) - but check regularly so you don't over beat them. Gradually beat in the sugar. If you're not pregnant lick the bowl out (sorry, I LOVE raw meringue, am I weird?).

Oh lord, now I really really fancy lemon meringue pie....

[Thunderduck]

Thankyou.

I fully intend to enjoy the raw meringue.

[MaryBS]

I fold in the sugar, rather than beat it, keeps the air in the meringue better.

Oh and don't get any of the yolk in the white, otherwise it mucks up the meringue. Still usable, but not as good.

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

Mmmm raw meringue

I amde meringues for eton mess today, it doesn;t apply to lemon meringue pie, but if you add a splash of white wine vinegar and a teaspoon of cornflour it guarantees gooey centre meringue....

Handy hint for you is to wipe inside of the bowl with a cut lemon as this removes any possible grease. Although you could just wash it properly, but who does that?

[Thunderduck]

Thankyou all.

When I saw your name Jack. I thought you were going to say add a spoon of marmite.

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

Although.................

[Thunderduck]

LOL.I'll leave that particular experiment to you.

Now what's the best way to separate an egg, to ensure that no yolk gets in with the white?

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

Get your meringue bowl, another small bowl for separating and a cup/tub for yolks.
Crack egg well and separate shell halves in one hand over your other palm over the small bowl. Let white drip through fingers until just yolk is left.
Tip yolk into tub and white into other bowl and continue.
This way, if you crack one yolk you don;t waste all the other whites, and there is no sharp egg shell on the yolk to pierce it.

[Thunderduck]

Thankyou.

You aren't so bad after all I guess, even if you are crazy enough to like Marmite.

[Biccy]

So glad I am not the only one who likes raw meringue! Bother this pregnant thing...

[Thunderduck]

Thankyou all for the tips. I've just finished a portion of it, and it's delicious.

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

Sling some this way then...IL's ate all my meringues yesterday so I have nothing (bastards)

[Thunderduck]

I won't be making it very often though, it's a lot of work, even if I cheated and used a ready made pastry case.

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

that's exactly what I did last time I made it, I figured I had made the lemon filling from scratch (with DD1 'helping' juice lemons) and the meringue, and I know I can make pastry, so fuck it!

[QuintessentialShadow]

Mmmm. I am sure somebody will come up with marmite meringue ice cream...

[Thunderduck]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. It took forever to make, and it isn't something you can step away from while it's cooking, until it's in the oven, it's all go.

I don't feel bad about the pastry because like you said I can make pastry and the rest of it is so much work.

It was worth the effort but it'll be a very occasional pudding for us.

[JackBauerhasmarmiteyfingers]

Yes, very occasional for us, especially the unfortunate fact that it doesn't keep well so has to be eaten that evening......

[Thunderduck]

I've stored a third of it in the fridge. Does that mean that I should go and eat it now?

[JackBauer]

Oh yes, definately eat it now, why take the risk?

[Thunderduck]

You're right. It's the only thing to do. It'll be a hard task finishing it but I'll persist.

[JackBauer]

You can do it, itn may be hard, but it can be done.

God luck

[Thunderduck]

Thankyou. I'm sure that with your support,and the help of a large spoon that I will succeed.