Walt's Favorite Lemon Meringue Pie

I decided tonight to make a little "Valentine Treat" for my special Valentine. Lemon Meringue Pie is my husband's absolute favorite dessert and one that I used to make almost every week in our early years of marriage. (I can remember many times where I had to hide the pies in the top of my closet to keep him from eating them before our meal!)

After not having made one in many years, I surprised him with one tonight. Needless to say....he has already cut into it and I am just trying to salvage enough to have some after Sunday dinner tomorrow!

3 eggs, separated

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 graham cracker crust (either ready-made or homemade)

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/3 cup sugar

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Separate eggs, placing egg whites in a small bowl and egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl.

Beat egg yolks with mixer. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice.

Stir until well combined.

Pour into prepared graham cracker crust.

In clean, small mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy.

Gradually add sugar to egg white mixture.

Beat until stiff peaks form, but not dry.

Pour meringue mixture into center of pie.

Spread meringue on top of pie, sealing carefully to the edge of crust. With knife or spatula, form desired amount of "peaks" all over surface of pie.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.

Cool.

Chill for 4-6 hours or overnight before serving.

** Warning: It may be necessary to hide this pie if you don't want it eaten in one sitting! (-:

Impossible Buttermilk Pie

This is another favorite that has been in the family for years and it is one of the simplest desserts ever! The way I describe this pie is that it reminds me of a pound cake (which I love) with a thin layer of custard (which I ALSO love) on the bottom. I especially love it because it "makes its own crust"!

1 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Bisquick
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring *
3 eggs, beaten


* may substitute almond flavoring; or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring, if preferred.




Mix together sugar, buttermilk and Bisquick.




Add beaten eggs to Bisquick mixture.




Add margarine and vanilla flavoring; mixing well.



Pour mixture into pie plate.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown or until knife inserted in center of pie comes out clean.