florida key lime time

For my dad's birthday I'm going to make him a key lime pie instead of a cake. It's his favorite dessert and the tartness and freshness of the key limes sounds really great right now.



the players
* 1 1/2 cups graham-cracker crumbs - 10 big crackers
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
* 5 tablespoons sugar
* 1 can (14 ounces) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 large egg yolks (use 2 whole eggs for silkier) (martha uses 4 yolks) OR 2 yolks and 1 whole egg...i did the 2 yolks, but allegedly the extra whole egg adds to the fluffiness
* 1/2 cup freshly squeezed key-lime juice (about 20 key limes)
* add 1/4 tsp vanilla
* 1 tablespoon grated key-lime zest, plus more for garnish

First make the crust...in a food processor or ziplock bag, crush 10-12 graham crackers.

In a big mixing bowl, add sugar to the crumbs and then add melted butter the graham cracker crumbs.



Stir in until crumbs are covered and crumbly.


Press into pie pan and bake crust at 350 for 10 minutes.



Now for the pie filling:
Begin with squeezing the limes to get a 1/2 cup of key lime juice, it took me about 20 limes.


This is not an easy process, but thanks to this amazing citrus juicer from my mother-in-law, it was slightly easier.


I say 'slightly' and next time, I might buy presqueezed lime juice. PS if you have a hangnail, do NOT, and i mean do NOT squeeze the limes. OWWWW!


Beat the egg yolks until they are thick and turn to a light yellow. Add the sweetened condensed milk, then on low speed, slowly mix in the lime juice and the lime zest, and mix until just blended (just a few seconds).


Pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake at 350F for 12 minutes to set the yolks and kill any salmonella in the eggs.


For the filling:
Pour mixture into crust and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour—more if possible.



As you probably know, key lime pie is tart! If you want it to be sweeter, add a little sugar to the mix or serve with cool whip, and you'll be in heaven.