Orange Meringue Pie



I'm often left with eggs coming near the use-by date so I decided to use up some with this lovely pie. Can hardly believe it comes out perfect using a microwave and the orange is a novel twist on the usual lemon meringue pie. If you want the lemon version just use the rind of 2 lemons and 4fl oz lemon juice. It's a very easy to make pastry which doesn't need rolling!

Use an 8" deep dish.

Place 6oz wholewheat flour in a bowl. Either use a processor to blitz in 40g lard and 40g margarine (which have been cut into small diced pieces) for 1 minute or use your fingers to rub in until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Add 2tbsp cold water and mix to form a firm but pliable dough. Press into your pie dish with your knuckles pressing down and upwards around the rim edge - no holes just level it well. Use a fork to prick well over base and sides. Put it in the fridge whilst making pie filling.

Zest 2 oranges and squeeze the juice out of both into a bowl and make up to 300ml (half pt) with cold water. In another bowl mix 25g (1oz) cornflour with a little of the orange water and gradually stir it all in blending well. Microwave for 3.5minutes whisking briefly after each minute has passed or until it thickens.

Microwave the pie case for 5 minutes.

In another bowl whisk 2 eggs yolks with 75g (3oz) castor sugar. Then beat into the orange mixture 2 minutes with an electric mixer on low setting, same if done by hand.

Make meringue using and electric mixer on the highest setting stiffly whisk 2 egg whites for 10 minutes. Fold in 100g 4oz castor sugar. On a plate form into round the size of your pie dish.  Use a fork to peak the top of the meringue and microwave for 1 min. Brown the meringue for about 5 minutes under the preheated grill.

Assemble the pie by adding the orange mixture on top of the pastry then carefully slide the meringue on top. Or just serve separately if you wish.

Apple, blackberry and banana crumble



In a deep pie dish layer 10 oz washed blackberries, 2oz sugar, 1 thinly sliced apple and 1 thinly sliced banana. Microwave for 3 minutes.

Combine 6oz plain flour, 2oz sugar and 3 oz butter rubbing in with fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Or an easy way is to mix it on high speed in a food processor using a blade tool for 1 minutes. Layer it over the prepared fruit.

Microwave for 9 minutes standing on a larger dish or plate to catch any overflow of juice from the fruit.

Wait 3 minutes before serving.