Today was 'Cowboy Sunday' at church. I guess it marks the end of Frontier Days here in Cheyenne. We were to dress in Western wear, which my husband and I own NONE of so we kind of stuck out in the crowd! We were also to bring a boxed lunch to enjoy after church. If you had an ice cream maker, you could make ice cream and enter it in a taste-testing contest. There were many delicious flavors, there's nothing quite like home-made ice cream on a warm summer day. I don't have an ice cream maker, so instead I chose to bring a lemon meringue pie. I was a little worried about attempting meringue due to the altitude (oh, and never having made it before!). All was well until....I baked it too long! So, it came out a little dark on top, rather than the nice "golden brown" peaks the recipe describes. No one said anything at the lunch about the top being a little overdone and they all complimented how good it was. Next time I know to keep a better watch on the meringue during the "browning" process!
Meringue (recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspan's Baking from my home to yours)
4 egg whites, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cornstarch (for stability)
Beat egg whites on medium speed with electric mixer until whites are opaque. Add cornstarch and beat until mixed in. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating on medium speed until egg whites become glossy and stiff peaks form (this will take several minutes, so be patient!). (My mom uses cream of tarter rather than cornstarch and adds some vanilla for extra flavor. Next time I'll have to try her recipe!)
