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| These are Persian limes. Use only for the garnish! |
Guests at the Tropical Inn often arrive with a list of “must do’s” in hand, and near the top is always to try the ubiquitous and (sometimes) authentic Key Lime Pie offered on virtually every menu in Key West. Most are surprised to find that, with the exception of a tree here or there in someone’s garden, key limes are no longer commercially grown in the Keys. The groves long ago gave way to development, so most of the limes that turn up in Key West pies come to us from from Mexico, or in the form of (gasp!) reconstitued bottled juice of unknown origin.
Each year there is a contest to determine the “best” key lime pie recipe. The ingredients are pretty standard, so it’s always interesting to see what is done to distinguish the various renditions. Even though it’s not a consistent award-winner, my favorite has always been the version served up at Pepe’s Cafe, billed as Key West’s “eldest eating house in the Florida Keys … a fairly good place, for quite a long while … open under old management”, over by the Bight.
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In another bowl, separate two more eggs, adding the yolks to those you reserved from the egg white whipping step. Discard the whites, feed them to the cat, or make a healthy omelet. Beat the four yolks up really well, again with your mixer on high, until they are thick and creamy. Blend in a can (14 oz.) of sweetened condensed milk.
Now, Pepe’s says that, at this point, you can use ½ cup key lime juice, fresh or bottled. No. As good as their finished product is, this is where it falls short of perfection. We’ll forgive them because they are feeding the masses. You’re only doing one pie. We’re going for cuisine art, here. It gets a little tedious, but it’s definitely worth the effort to squeeze fresh key limes. You’ll only get about a tablespoon of juice out of each, but hey — this is a labor of love — so if your own “Love” is hanging around, drooling in anticipation, see if you can solicit a little help! Then, have Love-y drizzle the juice over the egg-and-milk mixture, while the mixer is still going. Once it’s all blended, you’re ready to step back in to show off your expertise in the delicate art of Egg White Folding. This must be done by hand. Every accomplished cook has a technique all their own, but the common thread is Body English. They’re not stingy with theirs, so don’t you be, either. Ever so gingerly, fold the egg whites into the filling mixture. Scoop from the bottom of the bowl, then sort of flop what you come up with over the stuff at the top. Don’t stir. Use the biggest spatula you have, trying not to deflate the egg whites. Repeat this motion until the ingredients are all evenly distributed.
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| Mmmm mmmm mmmm …. |
Pour the batter into the pie crust. Bake about 20 minutes or until just set (it’ll go from gooey to jiggly). Remove from the oven and cool completely before refrigerating at least 2 hours. To serve, top with real whipped cream (if you have some of that aerated-oil-fake-whipped-cream stuff on hand, this is definitely NOT the time to use it, but don’t throw it out; who knew it makes a great face cream?) and garnish with a twist of lime (for this, use one of those big, shiny green Persians; key limes are too thin-skinned and not very pretty).
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They say the pie keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Couldn’t prove it by me. Around here, one never has a chance to last that long! |