Lemon Meringue Pie III

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust , 9 inch
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups water
• 0.5 cups cornstarch
• 0.33 cups water
• 4 eggs , separated
• 0.5 cups lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cups white sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. 2

   Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, salt, and 1 1/2 cups water in a heavy saucepan. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 1/3 cup water to make a smooth paste. Gradually whisk into boiling sugar mixture. Boil mixture until thick and clear, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

3. 3

   In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and lemon juice. Gradually whisk egg yolk mixture into hot sugar mixture. Return pan to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in grated lemon rind and butter or margarine. Place mixture in refrigerator and cool until just lukewarm.

4. 4

   In a large glass or metal bowl, combine egg whites and salt. Whip until foamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar while continuing to whip. Beat until whites form stiff peaks. Stir about 3/4 cup of meringue into lukewarm filling. Spoon filling into baked pastry shell. Cover pie with remaining meringue.

5. 5

   Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until meringue is slightly brown. Cool on a rack at for at least 1 hour before cutting.