Pineapple lime meringue pie recipe

This is an inexpensive recipe made with a can of pineapple pieces and store cupboard ingredients. Easy to make – just a little bit of effort required to make the meringue - it’s well worth the effort. The addition of lime gives a delicious flavour to the pineapple. Ideal for Sunday lunch or a special occasion it is good served hot or cold. The meringue in this recipe is crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside perfect served with the tangy flavour of the pineapple and the citrus burst of the lime.

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 250g plain flour
• 125g butter or margarine
• 2 tbsp water

For the filling:

• 25g butter or margarine
• 3 level tbsp cornflour
• 340g can pineapple pieces in juice, drained, juice reserved
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lime
• 50g caster sugar
• 2 egg yolks

For the meringue:

• 2 egg whites
• 75g caster sugar

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200⁰C/400⁰F/Fan 180⁰C/Gas Mark 6.
2. Sift the flour into a bowl, add the butter or margarine and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the water and mix to a firm dough.
3. Knead lightly on a floured board, then wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the pastry to line a 20cm flan dish or tin.
5. Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper or baking parchment, fill with baking beans and bake blind for 15 minutes.
6. Remove the beans and paper and bake for a further 10 – 15 minutes. Leave to cool on a wire rack whilst you make the filling.
7. Put the butter or margarine and cornflour into a saucepan. Make up the pineapple juice to 275ml with the lime juice and a little water if necessary. Add to the pan with the lime zest and sugar.
8. Bring to the boil on a medium heat, stirring continuously and cook for 2 – 3 minutes until thickened and smooth.
9. Cool slightly and then beat in the egg yolks. Stir in the pineapple pieces.
10. Pour the filling into the cooked pastry case and smooth it over evenly.
11. Whisk the egg whites until they are stiff and stand in peaks. Whisk in the sugar, then spoon the meringue over the filling.
12. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes until the meringue is lightly browned. Serve hot or cold.