With Father’s Day approaching I can’t help but think of my dad. He has been gone for over ten years, but I still think of him often.
My Father (Dad, he was never Daddy) was a type A personality. He was highly organized, he made lists, he shuffled papers, and he always had multiple ink pens. For Christmas one year I gave him several types of ink pens from the office supply store, and he loved it. I am still using his collection of pens. When Dad died, he had one picture in his wallet; my dog at the time, Hazel. No picture of my mom, my brother or me but one of my dog. Dad loved baseball. He enjoyed the local teams just as much as the big leagues. He used to go to watch the kids play at Kiwanis field. He enjoyed fast pitch softball also.
Dad retired from Kroger after 32 years. He was a controller for Kroger, an accountant. Dad was the only one in his family to graduate from College, the University of Arkansas. Dad was an only child. Dad’s mother was a talented quilter. She made quilts but she also made curtains, bedspreads, and stuffed toys. Everyone says I get my crafty bit from her. Dad’s father worked and retired from Rock Island railroad. He was a hard man; it was his way or the highway. He had dogs and cows on a bit of land and a garden, and this made him happy.
Dad died after a lifelong struggle with Crohn’s disease. He basically wasted away over the last two years or so. He had his first major surgery when I was nine months old, so he was sick my whole life. He kept on working and made a great life for my family. His work ethic was exceptionally strong, and he always took ownership in his job and the company he worked for. He took the shoddy work of others personally even when the company did not. He went to work sick and put in more than a full day’s work. When Kroger was downsizing his department, he took early retirement to save the job of his assistant controller. I found that out from mom after he died. Typical of Dad. He could be difficult at times to live with and to please. But I think he was pleased with me. My work ethic is a lot like his. When I call in sick, I am usually so sick I can’t see but I still worry and feel bad about calling in. Mainly because Dad worked when he was much sicker than I ever have been.
This week’s recipe is for lemon pie, my dad’s favorite dessert. Two versions; one clear and one cloudy. That’s how Dad described them. Thank you, Dad, for helping make me the person I am.
Lemon pie-cloudy
Ingredients:
Crust: (or use a premade graham cracker crust)
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons butter, melted
⅓ cup sugar
Pie filling:
2 (14 ounce) cans Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (about 2 3/4 cup)
3 egg yolks
⅔ cup lemon juice
1 dash salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
For the Crust: Spray a pie dish with non-stick spray. Combine crushed graham crackers, butter, and sugar. Press into prepared pie plate. Bake for 8 minutes.
For the Pie Filling: Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, mix the condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice and salt together. Beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes. Pour into pie shell and bake for 10 minutes at 350. Little bubbles will start to surface. Cover the crust if it starts to brown too much towards the end.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving topped with whipped cream.
Lemon pie-clear
1 9-inch pie shell prebaked (store bought or homemade)
1 box Jell-o lemon cook and serve pie mix
½ cup sugar
2 ½ cups cold water
2 slightly beaten egg yolks
Mix ingredients together and cook over medium high heat stirring until mixture starts to boil.
Pour into cooled, baked 9 “pie shell. Top with meringue and bake at 425⁰F 5 mins or until meringue browns.
To make meringue: Beat 3 egg whites until foamy, gradually add and beat in ¼ cup sugar until stiff peaks form.
