Saturday, October 15, 2011

Simplicity is the "KEY" Lime Pie...



When I think of pie, the first thing that comes to mind is my favorite...



Key Lime Pie!







It is one of the simplest pleasures in life...better than cake to my taste buds...
a slice of happiness.

I used to think it was difficult to make...then I found a recipe and began to make it myself...with real key limes...all from scratch.  It was very good.  I was thrilled that it was so easy to prepare until I came across a simpler way...  "Nellie and Joe's Key Lime Juice".  My life suddenly became better!  I realized that squeezing limes was a thing of my past as I found the "key" to the best pie I've ever tasted.  What's better...the recipe for this no fail taste of heaven is right on the bottle!  Oh, thank you God for Nellie and Joe!  With a recipe as perfect as this, life is sweet delight!

With most foods, I prefer cooking from scratch, but this juice really is fresh and I don't mind taking the easy way out occasionally for a convenient alternative.

There is one thing, however, that I will never do...buy a crust!  Feel free to call me a pie crust snob, but in my opinion, nothing compares to the freshness of a homemade crust.  Many of the pre-packaged pie crusts have additives to extend their shelf life which are really, really bad for you.  I admit that even homemade crusts are not the most healthy thing to eat...but they taste so much better and even though butter has saturated fat, it is not as harmful as the trans fats found in substitutes. Yes, butta is betta...and of course, moderation is "key"! 

Here is the recipe for this elegant pie...which makes me look like the queen whenever I serve it....but truth is, I'm not the queen....princess maybe....but not the queen!  ;)

Simple yet Elegant Key Lime Pie:  

Crust:

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (organic preferred --- or graham crackers pulsed in food processor until crumbs result - (I actually found gluten free graham crackers at my health food store and have been able to substitute them for the traditional crumbs...I like them)
5 TBSP.  Un-salted Butter (melted)
1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix above ingredients together and pat into a 9 inch pie plate.  Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool completely.

Filling:

14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
3 egg yolks (whites not used) 
½ cup Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime Juice

Combine all three ingredients until smooth. Pour filling into pie crust and bake at 350ยบ for 15 minutes. Allow to stand 10 minutes before refrigerating.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours.  Just before serving, top with freshly whipped cream or meringue, garnish and serve.
                                                                                                               
I love to garnish with fresh berries and
a "dab" of fresh,
real whipped cream!
( 1/2 pint  8 oz. heavy cream w/ 1 TBSP. sugar & 1 tsp pure vanilla...in a chilled bowl with chilled beaters, beat on high until stiff peaks form, then serve)








Moderation???!!!



If you're lucky, you just might get a slice before I devour it!



 
Simple Pleasures!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 comments:

Amy said...

Your Key Lime Pie looks divine! I love your portion of a "dab" of fresh whipped cream. :) That's how I roll in my kitchen, too.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh that looks wonderful...I can just taste it...now moderation, that is the "key" word!

Deborah said...

:):):)
Oh you are so sweet Lorraine!
And this is such a scrumptious post!
I love key-lime pie too and I thank you for this delicious looking recipe!
Even down to the last morsels! LOL
Hope you are having a great weekend dear!
Love to you sweet friend xoxo

Deborah xoxooxoxox

Unknown said...

What a perfect pie! I love key lime as well. And yes, I've been a Nellie Joe's for many, many years.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It's one of my favorite but I have never made one. Thank you for the recipe.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, I adore key lime pie!!! And yours is picture perfect. Love the ruffles of whipped cream...irresistible!!! Hope you have a wonderful week, my friend~

Anonymous said...

I love 99.9% of all pies in the world and lemon and lime pies are high on my list. Thanks for the simple recipe :-)

God bless and have a wonderful week! :-)

Teresa said...

I just adore you!!!! I am finally able to leave comments...I use Mozilla Foxfire now!
You are so fun my friend!!! You cheer me up, whenever I visit! :)

Carol said...

This looks so good !

Elisabeth said...

Hi Lorraine-I totally agree with you using Nellie and Joe's key lime juice...straight from the Key West. I make the same exact recipe, and love it!
Your key lime pie is absolutely divine, and super yummy!
Love the "dab" of fresh whipped cream, as well!
That would be my dab too...ha, ha, you are so delightful, and funny:DDD
xoxo

Gina said...

Don't you just love eating your subjects, lol. I will now call you Princess Lorraine from here on out. Never tried that juice, but I will be on the look out for it. Key limes aren't readily available here. I agree, no skimping on the crust. I really want pie now, considering I've been eating cake for a week straight. Hope you are having a great week.
-Gina-

Toyin O. said...

That key Lime pie sure looks yummy, I usually buy my pie from the Local stop and shop. I wish I could bake like you. One of these days, I am going to actually follow your recipe:)

Unknown said...

OMG girl that looks soooo awesome and you are right about the fact of the crust..I have never made a home made crust and my feel a bit intemidated but it would be better for you.. thanks for sharing the recipe...my husbands favorite is Key Lime , so I must try it..
oh and by the way...LOVE , LOVE , LOVE THE BIRD CHIRPING IN THE BACK GROUND... MEGA PEACEFUL.. thanks for that too..

Pamela said...

I can't wait to try it. I was hoping I could snitch a piece but the screen got in the way. I have a friend who always makes the graham cracker crust double. Her husband likes them that way.

mangiabella said...

I have never heard of Nellie Joe's, that is such an awesome short cut....but, I've never made key lime pie either, and how I do love key lime pie...in fact, I think it's been years since I've had it!!! Lorraine this looks fantastic, and I couldn't agree more...butta is betta! LOL

Deborah Ann said...

Why, you're nothing but a pie crust snob! Heheh.

I'm the shortcut queen in my kitchen. I like to collect recipes but I don't like to cook. Well, I do like to, but I'd rather play on the computer.

Hey, are you by any chance going to the Packers/Bears game on Christmas Day? We'll be at the game. That would be cool to see you there. That way I could rub it in your face when the Pack wins!

Deborah Ann said...

Joking! (she said, sheepishly). I need to be careful sometimes with my off the wall humor. No matter who wins, it would be a fun day!

Toyin O. said...

Hope you had a great week, just dropping by to say hi. xo

A multi-dimensional life said...

Yes Deborah Ann...you really should be careful...when the Bears win, who might be eating her words??? LOL... (of course I knew you were joking. We share the same humor and I know you too well by now! Besides, you know the Bears are gonna win) ;)

A multi-dimensional life said...

Hi Toyin,
I hope you are having a great week! Yes, my week has been fantastic! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week end, my sweet friend!

Sierra said...

Lol moderation would go out the window for me too with this yummy pie! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us, xo!

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