This post is about my Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie, an easy-to-make version of an old favourite dessert. But more than that, it’s a story about the relationship I had with my Grandma.

Lemon Meringue Pie remains one of my best-loved desserts. I make it quite often for my family and when I entertain guests. It’s my son’s favourite. And every time I make Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie it reminds me of her and the times we spent together when I was growing up.

You’ll find my Grandma’s recipe for Easy Lemon Meringue Pie, as well as her recipe for Easy Pastry, at the end of this post.

Grandma's Easy Lemon Meringue Pie
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It’s amazing how food, food preparation and dining bring people together.

Certain food or dishes (and their aromas) elicit memories of people, places and shared experiences. My Mum wrote about these things in Auntie Dulcie and the Bung-in Cake (April 14, 2016). When she was a little girl, her auntie showed her how to bake beautiful cakes, including Dulcie’s signature Bung-in Cake (April 14, 2016). Years later, the Bung-in Cake is still one of my Mum’s all-time favourite recipes.

I must have been in my teens when Grandma showed me how to make her delicious Easy Lemon Meringue Pie.

At the time, I used to visit her and Granddad on my way home from school at least once a week. On Fridays I finished school at midday. While most of my high school friends went to work (at McDonald’s for example) or went home and watched something on TV, I would have lunch with my grandparents. It was during these visits that Grandma showed me how to cook all sorts of wonderful things (and her Easy Lemon Meringue Pie).

My Dad and I with Grandma on her 76th birthday (I was in Year 11 at the time). Photo source: Salecich Family archives.
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My Dad and I with Grandma on her 76th birthday (I was in Year 11 at the time). Photo source: Salecich Family archives.

Grandma was an excellent cook and a good teacher.

An experienced home cook, Grandma happily shared her knowledge, skills and her love of cooking with me. She was ever so patient. She would show me a recipe, explain what to do and give a demonstration. Then she would let me have a go. That’s how I learnt. I clearly remember her showing me how to make her Easy Lemon Meringue Pie. She taught me how to separate eggs using only the egg shell, create an amazingly designed meringue top, and prepare pastry which required the techniques of kneading and rolling.

Grandma's recipe in her own handwriting.
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Grandma’s recipe in her own handwriting. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.

What I really appreciate is the time Grandma and I spent together.

Whenever I visited, I felt special, welcome. I never felt I was intruding or that I was a bother. Grandma always had time for me, quality time. This was her gift to me. It said to me: You are important to me. I love you. I like being with you.” Grandma always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world: much loved and treasured. My emotional bucket was filled to the brim with joy.

Because my grandmother and I spent lots of time together, we developed a special bond.

Doing things together (like cooking) helped us to build a relationship on a personal level where we both felt comfortable to share our innermost thoughts and feelings.

I recall fondly the times Grandma patiently listened to my ups and downs, especially during my high school and university days. Grandma never gave advice. That was not her style; she just listened.

In turn, my grandmother opened up to me. I came to understand a little of her thoughts, fears and life experiences. She told me about her early life, her schooldays and her family, the dances she attended as a young woman, and how she met Granddad at a dance in Brisbane during the war years. What I didn’t realize at the time, Grandma was sharing with me our family history.

Grandma is the one holding the slate, Rannes State School, early 1920s. Photo source: Beaumont Family archives.
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Grandma is the one holding the slate, Rannes State School, early 1920s. Photo source: Beaumont Family archives.
Grandma pictured at a dance at Rannes in the 1930s. Photo source: Beaumont Family archives.
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Grandma pictured at a dance at Rannes in the 1930s. Photo source: Beaumont Family archives.

My grandmother was 60 years old when I was born. Ours was a large age gap, but that didn’t matter.

I always felt close to her. I can’t remember a time when Grandma was not a part of my life. She helped me celebrate my important milestones and I was a part of many of hers too. I helped her celebrate her 80th birthday with family and friends in Rockhampton and 10 years later, in Brisbane, her 90th birthday. By the time she turned 90 I was married and my husband and I were expecting our first child (much to her delight).

My husband and I with Grandma on her 90th birthday.
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My husband and I with Grandma on her 90th birthday. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2006.
Grandma proudly nursing my firstborn, a son.
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Grandma proudly nursing my firstborn, a son. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2006.

Grandma was with me when I started primary school, at the completion of my secondary schooling (including my school formal), through my University years and when I took up my first teaching position. She was present at my wedding and helped me celebrate the birth of each of my three children. In 2008, when I gave birth to twin girls she was so thrilled. She had been praying for a great-granddaughter (she already had four great-grandsons) and the Lord gave her not one, but two dear little girls!

Grandma with me when I first started school.
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Grandma with me when I first started school. Photo source: Salecich Family archives.
Grandma with me and a colleague (Bec) when I first started teaching, at Blackwater State High School
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Grandma with me and a colleague (Bec) when I first started teaching, at Blackwater State High School. Photo source: Salecich Family archives 1999.

Whenever I think about Grandma (she died in 2011, at 95), I can’t help but shed a few tears.

I have so many treasured memories of her. I miss her. She was such a gentle soul, unassuming, warm, kind and sincere. And I know that she loved me. Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie is my constant reminder.

She made her Easy Lemon Meringue Pie with hands of love, spoonsful of smiles, cups of kisses and oversized portions of hugs!

Grandma's Easy Lemon Meringue Pie.
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Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.

Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie, as its name suggests, is easier to make than the traditional version. And it’s much creamier too. The secret: It contains sweetened condensed milk! Everyone loves sweetened condensed milk. The sweetness of the milk and the sourness of the lemon make a sensational combination for the taste buds. And the luscious light sweet meringue topping complements the smooth texture of the lemon filling.

Grandma's Easy Lemon Meringue Pie served. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.
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Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie served. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.

In addition, Grandma showed me how to make a really easy sweet pastry for this pie. If you are busy like me, you probably buy ready-made pastry from the freezer department at the supermarket. Or you may buy a fresh ready-made pastry case from the bakery.

However, I recommend you try Grandma’s Easy Pastry recipe as the pastry base for your Easy Lemon Meringue Pie. My Mum vouches for this recipe. Why?

Grandma’s Easy Pastry is:

  • simple to make, and it always works
  • sweet but not too sweet
  • light but firm, not crumbly, and crusty on the edges.

Unlike shortcrust pastry, this easy pastry does not require kneading or resting. In fact, the soft dough requires very little handling prior to rolling on a well-floured surface.

I’m sure you’ll love my Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie as much as I do.

Lemon filling and meringue ingredients. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.
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Lemon filling and meringue ingredients. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.

EASY LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Ingredients

1 cooked pastry case
1 tin (400 g) sweetened condensed milk
grated rind of 1 lemon
½ cup (60 mL) lemon juice
2 eggs
4 tablespoons caster sugar (for meringue)

Method

  1. Grate rind of 1 lemon. Juice lemons to make ½ cup lemon juice.
  2. Separate eggs.
  3. Add egg yolks, lemon rind and lemon juice to condensed milk and beat until smooth.
  4. Add mixture to pastry case and spread evenly. Set aside.
  5. Beat egg white on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until sugar is dissolved.
  6. Pile meringue roughly on top of the lemon filling. Spread gently to cover.
  7. Place in a slow oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly browned.
  8. Allow pie to cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Source: Evelyn Proposch (“Grandma”)

Easy Pastry ingredients. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.
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Easy Pastry ingredients. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2017.

EASY PASTRY

Makes 2 pastry cases

Ingredients

60 g butter or margarine
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup (60 mL) milk
1 egg
1½ cups (170 g) Self Raising flour

Method

  1. Heat together butter, sugar and milk and stir to blend.
  2. When butter is melted, remove mixture from stove and stir in beaten egg.
  3. Add the flour to the mixture. Add extra flour if necessary to make a workable dough. (It is a fairly soft dough.)
  4. Halve the dough to make two medium-size pastry cases.
  5. Roll thinly onto floured baking paper, then invert over a lightly greased and floured pastry plate.
  6. Trim edges with a sharp knife. Using a fork, prick the dough on the base of the pastry case.
  7. Repeat for the second pastry case.
  8. Bake in a moderate oven about 10 minutes, or until pastry cases are lightly brown.
  9. Allow pastry cases to cool completely before adding the filling.

Source: Edna Becker (via Evelyn Proposch)

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS

The 5 Love Languages of Your Family. (2015). Gary Chapman and Dr Ross Campbell. Moody Press.

Grandparenting: Ain’t it grand. (2016). Judith Salecich. Online: https://judithsalecich.com/aint-it-grand/

Dida’s Caramel Slice. (2016). Judith Salecich. Online: https://judithsalecich.com/didas-caramel-slice/

Creative Grandparenting: How to love and nurture a new generation. (2011). Judy Schreur, Jerry Schreur, Erin Schreur. Discovery House Publishers.

Being a Grandparent ain’t for Wimps. (2009). Karen O’Connor. Harvest House Publishers.

Extreme Grandparenting: The ride of your life. (2007). Tim Kimmel, Darcy Kimmel. Tyndale House Publishers.

How to be a better grandparent: Tips on Building Great Relationships with your Grandkids.  Online: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/grandparenting/how-to-be-a-better-grandparent.htm 

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Author

Ruth Salecich-Brown

Wife and mother of three (including a set of twins), secondary school teacher (special needs), Christian ministry leader and musician, friend and confidante, "jack of all trades", lover of food, music, photography, reading and exercise.

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7 thoughts on “Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie”

  1. Hi Judy, so nice to read about grandmothers and granddaughters, as grandmothers, we all hope that we can leave some legacy behind for our grandchildren.

  2. It’s loveky to hear of such a lovely relationship betwern Ruth and her Grandma. I remember having great times with both my grandmothers and Emma spending much time with her Nana where love was shared. I hope to have that kind of relationship with my granddaughters too. It does take time but is so much worth every second.

  3. I enjoyed your story very much and look forward to trying your family ‘Easy Lemon Meringue Pie’ recipe. I have a close relationship with my four granddaughters and they will be visiting in July so we will prepare one together. Thanks Ruth and Judy.

    • Narelle, that’s great to know. Thank you. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time when your granddaughters visit. I’m sure they are looking forward very much to their visit. And the Easy Lemon Meringue Pie will be a treat. Love, Judy.

  4. I only knew one of my grandparents (my maternal grandfather) as the others passed away before I was born. Lovely stories like this make me wish I’d had the opportunity to know them.

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