Last week I lost two important people in my life, my cousin Robert, who was more like an older brother than a cousin, and my close friend Ruthie. I went back East for Robert’s funeral and what I experienced over the course of five days was the workings of a family who come together like pieces of a patchwork quilt, all different in design but stronger and more effective as one unit. Almost my entire immediate family, as well as my extended family, came to Philadelphia where we spent our days cooking, eating, crying and laughing in the comfort of our cousin Micheline’s home. Even after both refrigerators and freezers were filled to capacity we continued to cook. It kept us busy and focused, taking care of each other and everyone around us.
After the funeral we prepared Shabbat dinner for about twenty. Everyone participated in their own way, some by offering words of comfort to the mourners, some by taking charge of the kitchen, some by providing comic relief. On Saturday night, the evening before everyone’s departure, Denise (Robert’s daughter) said that it was just the kind of evening her father loved, having the family together, sharing good food and good wine. The night ended with my daughter Shira, myself, and Denise all sitting around the table sharing a pie which we ate straight from the tin, one spoonful at a time.
Passover is just around the corner, a time when families get together. May it be filled with joy, and not with sorrow, and with the memories of those we lost but will never forget, and why not make some pie that can be shared straight from the tin.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Crust
1 cup Matzoh Meal
1/4 cup melted margarine
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
Blend ingredients together. Press into a greased 9″ pie pan and bake at 375 for 15 minutes or till golden brown.
Lemon Meringue Filling
5 tbsp potato starch
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
3 eggs, separated
2 tbsp margarine
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp grated lemon rind
Combine potato starch, salt and 1/2 cup sugar in top of a double boiler and then add water. Cook, stirring over boiling water till thickened. Cover pot, lower heat and cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, combine egg yolks with remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Spoon a little of the hot cooked mixture into the yolks, stirring rapidly. Then pour yolk mixture back into the pot. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add a drop of water if too thick. Remove from heat. Add margarine, lemon juice and lemon rind to filling and allow to cool to room temperature. Pour into pie shell.
Meringue
3 egg whites
dash salt
6 tbsp sugar
Using a beater, beat egg whites with salt till foamy, gradually adding 6 tbsp sugar till smooth and glossy. Pour Meringue over pie filling and bake in 325 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Chill and serve.
Enjoy,
Irene
March 19, 2012 at 5:18 PM
Irene, Thank you so much for this touching post and for the great recipe.
Susan
March 19, 2012 at 6:15 PM
We both have lost so much and though words can’t take the pain away, maybe it helps.
Thank you Susan!!
March 16, 2012 at 3:33 PM
How beautifully you express your feelings, and believe me, we all can relate.
We are so sorry for your loss–may all your sweet memories be a comfort and a blessing. And have a good, busy, and meaningful Pesach!
Love, Lela and Norman
March 16, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Dear Lela,
How nice to hear from you, even under the circumstances, and thank you for your kind words. The same to you, I was sorry to miss Henry’s bar-mitzvah, mazel tov to you and the entire family.
Chag Pesach Sameach.
Love,
Irene
March 15, 2012 at 9:04 AM
I have tears in my eyes and a smile on my lips! xo, barbie
knock knock
March 15, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Aw, thanks Barbie! Back at you!!!
Irene
March 15, 2012 at 5:12 AM
beautiful piece. Felt like I was there in the kitchen!
March 15, 2012 at 7:16 AM
Thanks Elizabeth!!
March 14, 2012 at 10:09 PM
what a wonderful family that just gets it. With all the sorrow you are very lucky. The pie sounds wonderful and a possible try for the holiday……. Do you think a beginner can make it or should we practice over the course of a year?????
March 15, 2012 at 7:17 AM
Thank you Denise. It was great being with the family. Yes, you can do it!!
Irene
March 14, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Beautifully said!
March 14, 2012 at 9:43 PM
Wow, Sheila thank you. That really means so much to me.
Love,
Irene