Florida Sour Orange Pie Food

SOUR ORANGE PIE-COOK'S COUNTRY

Steps:

• For the Crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Process crackers, sugar and salt in food processor until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add melted butter (easily melted in the microwave) and pulse until combined, about 8-9 pulses. Transfer crumbs to 9-inch pie plate.
• Using bottom of dry measuring cup or glass bottom, press crumbs firmly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake crust until fragrant and beginning to brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the Filling: Whisk all ingredients in bowl until fully combined. Pour filling into cooled crust.
• Bake pie until center jiggles slightly when shaken, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool completely. Refrigerate until fully chilled, at least 3 hours or cover with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• For the Whipped Cream: Whisk cream, sugar and orange zest in medium bowl until stiff peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Slice chilled pie and serve with whipped cream.

SOUR ORANGE AND LEMON PIE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, and sugar.
• Melt the butter and add it to the crumb mixture slowly while mixing to combine.
• Firmly press the mixture into a 9 inch pie dish. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350° F (177° C).
• Combine the orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil on the stove top, then reduce heat and simmer until the mixture reaches a syrupy consistency (the final volume should be about 3/4 cup). Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• If you haven't done so yet, separate the egg yolks and whites. Set the whites aside for use in the meringue.
• In a large bowl, combine the egg yolks and citrus zest. Using a hand (or stand) mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the eggs for 4-5 minutes, or until they look airy and fluffy.
• Slowly add the sweetened condensed milk to the eggs, mixing to combine. Whip for a further 2-3 minutes, until the mixture looks thick and somewhat airy.
• Using the lowest setting on the mixture, combine in the reserved syrup until the filling mixture is just combined.
• Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for about 15 minutes. The filling should be well-set, but will still jiggle a little. The edge of the filling should be puffed up and slightly browned. If you're not sure whether or not the filling is set, check the center with a toothpick; if it's gooey, bake a little longer. Once baked, allow the pie to cool slightly while preparing the meringue. Leave the oven on.
• In a large bowl, combine the egg whites and the cream of tartar. Using the (clean) mixer with whisk attachment, beat the eggs into firm peaks.
• Slowly add the sugar while beating the meringue, until well-combined.
• Spread (or pipe) the meringue onto the the top of the pie crust, making sure to reach the edges.
• Raise the oven temperature to 400 F, then bake the pie for an additional 5-7 minutes with the door slightly ajar. The meringue should be toasty and lightly golden. Watch this step very carefully, as meringue can burn easily.
• Set the pie to cool on a counter for 4 hours, or if necessary, in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Cooling in the refrigerator will help set the filling a bit more, but makes the meringue more likely to soften.

SOUR ORANGE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter thoroughly in a large bowl. Press the mixture firmly into a 9 inch pie pan, coating the bottom and sides. A heavy juice glass will hlep do this. Bake on middle rack until the crumbs mixture has darkened a bit and the ingredients have fused to form a crust, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl beat the egg yolk until they are lighter in color, about 1 minute. Add the condensed milk and 2 tbsp cream and stir to incorporate. Add the sour orange juice, sour orange zest, and 4 teaspoons navel orange zest. Stir until filling is creamy and light yellow in color, about 1 minute.
• Pour filling in crust and bake on middle rack until surface looks like jello, about 14-16 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool for 30 minutes. Transfer to a refrigerator to cool completely, about 4 hours. Cover in plastic wrap if you plan on keeping pie longer, eating within 24 hours is recommended.
• Before serving, whip the remaining 2 cups cream with the confectioner's sugar. Spread over pie and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tsp navel orange zest. Slice into portions and top each with a mint leaf if desired.