Upside Down Strawberry Meringue Pie

One of my girlfriends has started a pick your own strawberry farm, so knowing that picking season was almost here, I started thinking of what I wanted to make this year. I remembered a pie I used to make back in the days when I used to make pies all the time. Those days had left, and so had my cookbook, apparently. 

Anyone else ever get rid of that one cookbook that you later kick yourself for not hanging on to???  I have been the last two weeks. I guess that is the risk involved when you move so many times, and try to downsize and get rid of things you "think" you no longer need. After some research I thought I could recreate it. Mainly from memory, but I was having problems remembering the filling. Finally, thanks to a blog I stumbled across, Carries Sweet Life, I thought I could put all the elements together.  

Lesson learned??? Before you get rid of ANY cookbooks, make sure that you have copied or written down any recipes you may ever want to recreate again!

Upside Down Strawberry Meringue Pie

1 1/2 squares semi-sweet chocolate

1 prepared 9 inch pie crust (yes, I cheated)

2 egg whites

1/4 c. sugar

2 1/2 c. berries (divided)

1/3 c. sugar

2 T. cornstarch

1/2 c. water

1 c. whipping cream

1 T. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

Grated chocolate for garnish

In microwave, melt 1 1/2 squares of semi-sweet chocolate.  Once melted, pour onto crust. Spread evenly so the entire crust is covered. Chill until set.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Bring egg whites to room temperature. Add egg whites to large stainless steel bowl.  Beat on medium-high speed, until soft peaks have formed.  Gradually add 1/4 c. sugar. Continue beating on high speed, until stiff peaks have formed.  Spread on top of chocolate covered crust.  Bake at 325 degrees, for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.  Set crust aside to cool.

In medium saucepan, add 2 c. berries, and mash. Add sugar.  Bring to boil, over medium high heat, stirring frequently.  In small bowl, whisk cornstarch, and water.  Gradually add cornstarch mixture to boiling strawberry mash.  Reduce heat, and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes.  Cool.

Once strawberry mixture has cooled, poor over cooled meringue.  Chill until set.

Once set, before serving, prepare whipped topping. In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not to over-beat.

Garnish with remaining berries, and grated chocolate.


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