2 lemons, juiced and zested (use large, not jumbo)
2 tablespoons butter
4 egg yolks, beaten
Meringue
5 large egg whites
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Pinch fine salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pie crust
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
To make the filling: Whisk 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium saucepan; stir in water, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter.
Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat; pour filling into baked pastry shell.
To make the meringue: Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over pie filling, sealing the edges at the crust.
Bake in preheated oven until meringue is golden brown, about 10 minutes.
1 ¼ cups Gruyere cheese shredded, or swiss cheese, mozzarella, or havarti
½ cup fresh parmesan cheese shredded
Topping
½ cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter melted
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated
1 teaspoon parsley chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 pan.
Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water and set aside.
While pasta is cooking, melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in flour and seasonings and cook 2 minutes.
Combine milk and cream. Add to the flour mixture a little bit at a time whisking in after each addition. The mixture will be very thick at first but will smooth out as you continue adding liquid.
Once all of the liquid is added, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1-2 minutes or until thickened while whisking.
Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses whisking until the sauce is smooth and melted.
Combine the sauce and the pasta. Gently stir in half of the lobster meat and spread into the prepared pan.
Add remaining lobster meat on top and sprinkle with the topping mixture.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and topping is browned. Do not overcook.
Cook the cauliflower: This recipe starts by steaming or boiling a head of cauliflower. If you are buying cauliflower florets this is about 6 cups. Personally, I boil mine in 2 cups of chicken broth until they are fork tender. I think this adds a richness that this recipe would otherwise lack. However, you can use water in a pinch.
Mash the cauliflower: Once the cauliflower is tender, drain the liquid and transfer to a mixing bowl. Then it’s time to add all the good stuff, cream cheese, butter, cheese, garlic, and spices. Mash or blend (using an immersion blender) until it reaches the consistency you like.
Bake the casserole: Once the cauliflower reaches consistency you like, transfer it to a baking dish (I use my 12-inch cast iron skillet), then top with shredded cheddar and parmesan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until gold and bubbly.
Add the toppings: Top with cooked chopped bacon, green onions, sour cream and freshly cracked pepper!