Living in Arizona can be scorching sometimes in our hundred degree temperatures.  However, the right dessert can cool you down; for instance, a creamy key lime pie, piled high with meringue.  Now you can escape the summer heat just by taking one bite to travel into a paradise of citrus refreshment.

Key Lime Pies:

Servings: 2 pies

Start to Finish: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

– ⅔ cup fresh lime juice

– 2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk

– 1 tablespoon grated lime rind

– 2 or 3 drops of green liquid food coloring (optional)

– 2 (6 oz) graham cracker crusts

– 6 egg whites

– ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

– ¾ cup sugar

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir lime juice gradually into sweetened condensed milk; stir in lime rind and food coloring, if desired.  Spoon evenly into crusts; set aside.

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy.  Add sugar gradually to mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2 to 4 minutes).  Add vanilla, beating mixture until blended.  Spread meringue evenly over pies (don’t be afraid to really pile it on!).

Bake at 325°for 25 to 28 minutes.  Cool pies on wire racks; chill thoroughly.