Kato’s Halo Pie: A Delightful Twist on Lemon Meringue
Kato’s Halo Pie is a delightful dessert that brings a unique twist to the classic lemon meringue pie, offering a harmonious balance of sweet and tart flavors, complemented by the vibrant freshness of raspberries. This pie is perfect for those who appreciate the subtleties of flavor and texture, featuring a creamy lemon filling encased in a luscious meringue shell. It requires some effort, but the end result is well worth it—an impressive dessert that will wow your family and friends.
Ingredients
To craft this exquisite pie, gather the following ingredients, ensuring you have everything you need to create a delightful dessert that serves six:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| White sugar | 1 cup |
| Cream of tartar | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Eggs (separated) | 4 large |
| Fresh lemon rind (grated) | 2 teaspoons |
| Lemon juice | 1/2 cup |
| Salt | 1/8 teaspoon |
| Raspberries | 1 cup |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information
Enjoying this pie means you’ll also be mindful of its nutritional profile. Each serving contains:
| Nutritional Content | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 524.2 kcal |
| Total Fat | 32.6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 19.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 232.7 mg |
| Sodium | 126.8 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 54.9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g |
| Sugars | 51 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
Instructions
To create Kato’s Halo Pie, follow these carefully detailed steps to ensure a perfect result:
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Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to a gentle 275°F (135°C). This low temperature will allow the meringue to bake slowly, achieving a beautiful texture without browning too quickly.
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Prepare the Meringue: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of white sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar. The cream of tartar will help stabilize the egg whites. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they become frothy, and then gradually add the sugar mixture, continuing to beat until thick and glossy peaks form. This process typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
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Butter the Pie Plate: Take a 10-inch pie plate and butter it generously. This will help the meringue to release easily once baked, ensuring that your pie maintains its shape and presentation.
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Spread the Meringue: Once your meringue is ready, carefully spread it over the buttered pie plate, ensuring it covers the bottom and edges completely. Create decorative peaks or swirls on the surface if desired for an aesthetically pleasing finish.
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Bake the Meringue: Place the pie plate in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour. After baking, turn off the oven and let the pie cool inside for another hour. This gradual cooling process prevents cracking and helps to stabilize the meringue.
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Prepare the Lemon Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until smooth. Gradually mix in 1/2 cup of white sugar, followed by the fresh lemon juice and the grated lemon rind. Transfer this mixture to a double boiler over medium heat. Cook while stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency. Once thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely.
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Fold in the Cream: In another bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold half of this whipped cream into the cooled lemon mixture, ensuring you don’t deflate the mixture too much, as you want it to remain light and airy.
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Add Raspberries: Carefully incorporate the raspberries into the lemon cream mixture. Take care not to break the berries too much; you want them to maintain their shape and provide bursts of flavor throughout the pie.
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Assemble the Pie: Once the raspberry-lemon filling is ready, pour it gently into the meringue shell, taking care to distribute it evenly without breaking the meringue. After that, dollop the remaining whipped cream on top, spreading it to cover the filling completely.
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Chill Before Serving: To let the flavors meld and the pie to set, cover the assembled pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours before serving. This resting period allows the filling to firm up and the flavors to develop beautifully.
When you are ready to serve Kato’s Halo Pie, slice it into wedges and enjoy the delightful combination of creamy lemon, sweet raspberries, and fluffy meringue. This pie is sure to impress anyone who has the pleasure of tasting it, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant gatherings.
Conclusion
Kato’s Halo Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that brings together contrasting textures and flavors in a symphony of deliciousness. The effort you put into making this pie will be rewarded with delightful smiles and requests for seconds. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this extraordinary pie, and enjoy the sweet satisfaction that comes with each bite.
