Jessie's Heirloom Key Lime Pie

Posted by LladyRusty at recipegoldmine.com

Source: Posted by philocrates - 28 February 2001 6:49 am

*Note: Please, if you trade this recipe, keep the story intact and Jessie's name in the title. Thank you!

Note: Several years ago I treated a young man from Key West, Florida who was dying of AIDS. A couple of weeks before he died, he gave me his 75 year old family recipe for Key Lime Pie. He explained that most Key Lime Pie recipes use condensed milk. Even restaurants in Key West serve Key Lime Pie made with condensed milk. Jessie was disdainful of this version. His family recipe, passed from generation to generation, does not used condensed milk. Jessie claimed it is the only authentic Key Lime Pie recipe. So in memory of Jessie, I offer it to you.

5 eggs, separated
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup Key lime juice
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for meringue)
1 (9-inch) baked pie shell

Separate eggs into three bowls - 5 yolks in one bowl, 2 egg whites in another, and 3 egg whites in the third. This is the most important step in the whole operation!!! Cream egg yolks, add 3/4 cup sugar and lime juice and mix thoroughly. Cook over low heat until thick, add butter and remove from heat. Let cool slightly.

Meanwhile beat two egg whites until stiff, then fold into cooled lime mixture. Fill pie shell. Beat other whites until stiff. Beat in 1/4 cup sugar. Pile meringue on top of lime filling and bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Servings: 4