Unlike most pie lovers, if I’m given a choice between a fruit- or custard-filled one, I always reach for the custard one first. The rich, custardy smoothness draws me in every time. This pie is no exception; the added brûléed sugar top gives the ensemble a slight crunch and added dimension in flavor.
Meringue pie can be tricky to prepare. We figure out how to make a perfect lemon meringue pie with a sky-high topping that doesn't weep.
Using a mix of vegetable oil and extra-virgin olive oil is crucial to the flavor of the aïoli.
This recipe is easiest to do when using a sous vide device -- either a self-contained insulated box called a water oven or a stick-style water circulator along with a pot of your choice. You can also follow our instructions below for using a small (8- to 12-quart) cooler and a digital thermometer. We’ve tested this recipe using both gram measurements and traditional U.S. volume and weight measurements, so you can pick the one that works best for you. This recipe safely achieves pasteurization (144 degrees Fahrenheit/62.2 degrees Celsius for at least 6 minutes) and then continues to heat the yolks to create a sauce with the ideal texture. Store-bought, in-shell, pasteurized eggs can also be used without any changes to the recipe. The cooking time depends on the number of yolks, so this recipe cannot be scaled up or down without making adjustments. Don’t discard the whites—save them to make angel food cake or meringue cookies or freeze them for later. This sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.
You can never have enough chocolate, so we’ve also included an egg-based chocolate ice cream recipe for you.
Ingredients