Making the Perfect Meringue

Have you ever noticed how well meringue goes with just about any pie? Not only is it really tasty, but it can also be fantastically easy to make. All you need to do is follow this simple recipe, and you will find yourself making the perfect meringue in relatively little time. Frankly, just the fact that it is so quick goes a long way to making it the perfect meringue.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs, separated
• 1 cup, finely granulated white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Recipe:

1. Gather your tools. In order to begin making the perfect meringue, you need to start gathering your tools and ingredients together. Besides the ingredients listed above, you will also need a metal mixing bowl, a sauce pan that can fit under the mixing bowl, balloon whisk, silicone spatula, digital cooking thermometer, and stand mixer.
2. Begin heating. Place about one inch of water into the bottom of the sauce pan, and then begin heating it up on your stove. Continue to heat the water until it begins to boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat so that you bring the water to a gentle simmer.
3. Whisk. Pour the whites of the six separated eggs into the mixing bowl. If you don't know how to separate an egg, carefully break apart an egg shell, and pour the egg back and forth into each half of the egg. Make sure that you are doing this over the mixing bowl so that the white can slowly fall into bowl. If you accidentally drop the yolk into the bowl, carefully remove it using a large slotted spoon. Be careful that you don't break the yolk though. Once you have the whites in the bowl, pour the sugar into the bowl and then whisk the mixture together until the sugar has completely dissolved.
4. Place and fold. Take the mixing bowl with the eggs and sugar, and place it over the simmering water. Using a silicone spatula begin folding the mixture, making sure to periodically scrape the sides of the bowl to get everything. Be careful as you do this that you do not over cook the eggs, and continue to fold until the mixture is nice and hot while also opaque. On the average, this should be five minutes, and the temperature of the mixture should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Whip it. Attach the mixing bowl to the mixer, and then add your vanilla, and then attach the whisk attachment. Set the mixer onto the whipping setting (if you don't know which one that is, then you need to reference your owners manual), and allow it to begin whipping the mixture. Allow it to continue to whip until the egg mixture starts to cool and form stiff and somewhat shiny peaks. Once you notice these peaks touch the bowl to check the temperature. The bowl should be cool to your touch.
6. Place it on your favorite pie. Place the meringue either in a pastry bag, or begin spooning onto your favorite pie. Once you have done that you can begin serving your pie. Enjoy!