Lemon Meringue Tart

Steps

1. 1To make the pastry, place the flour and butter in a food processor. Pulse until you have a sandy texture then add the cold water in batches until it forms a soft dough. Turn out and wrap with cling film and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
2. 2Roll out the pastry on a clean and lightly floured surface. Lay it loosely into a 35cm x 12cm rectangular, fluted tart tin with a removable base. Fold the excess pastry into itself to form a thicker crust, then cut off any excess overhanging dough. Let it rest in the refrigerator for an hour.
3. 3Preheat the oven to 165°C fan-forced. Blind bake the pastry for 30 minutes, then remove the baking beads and bake for a further 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
4. 4In 2 bowls, separate the eggs, reserving the whites for the meringue.
5. 5Mix the gelatin with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl and let it stand for 1 minute.
6. 6When bloomed, microwave for 10 seconds or until the gelatin has dissolved.
7. 7In a small saucepan, heat the lemon juice, lemon zest and sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, pour the heated liquid into the egg yolks, whisking continuously. Return the tempered egg yolks back into the saucepan and onto low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture reaches 81-82°C.
8. 8Remove from heat, add the dissolved gelatin then add cubed butter in batches and whisk until well incorporated. Pour the warm curd into the pre-prepared pie crust and let it set in the refrigerator for an hour.
9. 9To make the meringue, in a clean metal bowl combine the egg whites, sugar and a pinch of salt. Bring a small saucepan with water to the boil. Set the bowl of egg whites over the pot of boiling water and whisk until the sugar has dissolved and the egg whites are warm (temperature should be 54-55°C).
10. 10Transfer to a stand mixer or use a hand-held mixer. Add the vanilla and whisk until stiff peaks form.
11. 11Add meringue to the cooled lemon tart, smooth out with a spatula. Torch the meringue using a blowtorch.