Key Lime Pie

I first came across key limes in a Key Lime Cake recipe that my sister sent me a few years ago. Key limes are not locally available, but we had a similar fruit called calamansi, so that is what I used and I remember my niece loved the cake. I finally made the recipe the other day using key limes, but my husband, who always looks for chocolates in any recipe I try, did not like it. I ended up eating the cake all by myself. Not in one day, of course!

Since I bought a small bag of key limes, I'm on the lookout for another recipe so they don't go to waste, so I might try this recipe from Eating Well this week-end.

Photo and recipe from Eating Well.

We tested this healthy Key lime pie quite a few times and no one got tired of it. We lightened the filling with nonfat condensed milk blended with tangy low-fat plain yogurt and continued the makeover with a topping of lovely golden meringue rather than whipped heavy cream. Use Key limes if you can find them, but common Persian limes work as well.

8 servings | Active Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 8 hours (includes chilling time)

Ingredients

Graham-Cracker Crust

• 1 large egg white
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, (12 crackers)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil

Filling

• 1 14-ounce can nonfat sweetened condensed milk
• 2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated lime zest, preferably Key lime
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4-5 limes), preferably Key lime
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

Meringue

• 2 tablespoons dried egg whites (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Lime slices for garnish

Preparation

1. To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
2. Place graham cracker crumbs, butter and oil in a medium bowl. Blend with your fingertips until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture in an even layer on the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
3. To prepare filling: Whisk condensed milk, yogurt, lime zest and juice in a medium bowl. Stir water and gelatin in a small heatproof cup or bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on High until the gelatin has completely dissolved but the liquid is not boiling, 20 to 30 seconds. (Alternatively, bring 1/2 inch water to a gentle simmer in a small skillet. Set the bowl with the gelatin mixture in the simmering water until the gelatin has dissolved completely.) Stir the gelatin mixture, then whisk into the lime mixture. Set that bowl over a larger bowl of ice water, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken, 15 to 20 minutes. Scrape the filling into the pie shell and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.
4. To prepare meringue & finish pie: Position oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler; preheat broiler.
5. Beat reconstituted egg whites and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue mixing until the egg whites are glossy and hold stiff peaks. Blend in vanilla.
6. Spread the meringue over the top of the pie, sealing to the edge of the crust and decoratively swirling on top. Broil (leaving the oven door ajar and watching very carefully to prevent burning) until the meringue is lightly browned on top, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve garnished with lime slices.

Nutrition

Per serving : 354 Calories; 11 g Fat; 4 g Sat; 4 g Mono; 19 mg Cholesterol; 56 g Carbohydrates; 8 g Protein; 0 g Fiber; 167 mg Sodium; 591 mg Potassium

4 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 4 carbohydrate, 2 fat

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 3 up to 1 day in advance.

• Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized—a wise choice when making meringue toppings that may not reach 160°F (the temperature at which eggs are considered "safe"). You'll find them in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets. Reconstitute according to package directions.