Ethereal Lemon Pie

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups homemade or store bought lemon curd, chilled,recipe for homemade follows in 'zaar
• 2 cups mixed fresh ripe berries
• confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

1. 1

   Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 225f degrees.

2. 2

   Trace a 9 inch circle on a sheet of parachment paper.

3. 3

   Place the paper on a baking sheet.

4. 4

   Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until foamy.

5. 5

   Increase the speed to medium high and add the cream of tartar and salt, and beat just until the egg whites form soft peaks.

6. 6

   Add the granulated sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, and continue beating just until stiff peaks are formed.

7. 7

   Spoon the meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.

8. 8

   Starting at the outside edge of the circle traced on the partachment paper, pipe the meringue into a spiral to fill the circle.

9. 9

   Holding the pastry bag upright and starting at the outer edge of the meringue, pipe 1 tier of rosettes along the edge to make a rim, then pipe a second tier or rosettes on the shoulders of the first tier.

10. 10

    Or, if you don't have a pastry bag, spoon the meringue in circle scooping the sides upward to form a rim.

11. 11

    Bake for 1 hour, or until the meringue is dry to touch.

12. 12

    Turn off the oven and leave the meringue in the oven for 2 hours.

13. 13

    Peel off the paper.

14. 14

    Store the meringue, tightly wrapped, if not using immediately.

15. 15

    Just before serving, beat the cream with an electric mixer on high speed in a large bowl just until stiff peaks form.

16. 16

    Beat in the lemon curd just until combined well.

17. 17

    Spoon the lemon filling into the meringue shell, arrange the berries on top and lightly sift confectioners' sugar over the berries.

18. 18

    Serve immediately.