Key Lime Pie ~ USA

[Twitchin Kitten]

This delicious pie is exclusive to the Florida Keys. It is traditionally made with exclusive Key Limes of this region and due to the limes being only available a certain time of year, this pie too is seasonal.
Key limes are more 'tart' than your usual lime variety and have a burst more lime flavor.
Light and tasty, a great dessert for summer by the poolside.
A true American Treasure.

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp white sugar
5 Tbsp butter - melted
1/2 cup key lime juice
3 eggs
1 pinch salt
1 pinch cream of tartar
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 lime

Preheat oven to 325°F

Mix graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter. Press into a 9 inch pie plate - bottom and sides - and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool.

If using bottled key lime juice, measure 1/2 cup of juice.
Separate 2 of the eggs, placing the egg whites into a mixing bowl. Save the yolks in a different bowl.

To the yolks, add one whole egg, 1.2 cup juice and the sweetened condensed milk. Mix well.
With clean mixer blades, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry, slowly adding cream after about 20 seconds.

Fold the beaten whites carefully into the filling mixture. Pour this into partially baked crust you let cool.

Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until 'set'.
Take out and let cool slowly at room temperature then freeze for 4 hours to overnight.

Just before serving, whip cream to form stiff peaks. Serve decorated with whipped cream and lime slices.