I've said it many times, my mom didn't cook much. That doesn't mean that she wasn't a good cook. One of her greatest cooking talents was making meringue. She always achieved that perfect peak. But, I only remember her making meringue for one thing... her Fluffy White Frosting out of her Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Her go-to for dessert was a yellow cake with fluffy white frosting.We had Mick's family down for Mother's Day today, so I thought I would make something using meringue. Mick's mom likes coconut and I was still working on perfecting a new coconut pie I have been working on, so I thought why not. I hadn't made anything with meringue in a very long time. I was a little nervous. I made a chocolate pie too, which I also wanted to top.
I was pretty happy with it. After I finished setting the pies, I couldn't help eating some of the leftover meringue. I did the same with both pie fillings. I know you aren't supposed to eat raw batters and such, but I do anyway. One day it will probably get me.
I got the pies in the oven to brown the meringue and the coconut browned pretty well, but the chocolate was only browned on one side, so I left it in for a couple of minutes longer. That turned out to be a mistake. I opened the oven and it was dripping, so I quickly removed it and set it on the counter. I went back to it a minute later. There was a pool all around the pie. Apparently, if you overbake meringue, it will weep! I ended up putting paper towels under it and it kept weeping. I read that baking it too long will begin to make it shrink, squeezing the sugar and moisture out. I will have to keep a close eye on one the next time.
 |
| Before I baked them to set the meringue. |
We had a great day. Mick's parents got here about 11am and stayed until 3pm. I think that's a record. His mom always worries about her cats being in the house alone, so she usually wants to get back home quickly. It was really nice outside, but a little warm. Still, we didn't want to be inside. We set up the BBQ chicken, baked beans, potatoes and cole slaw on the porch. I also made deviled eggs. It might be the Southerner in me, but there always has to be a plate of deviled eggs at every gathering. I also wanted to include my grandmaw Edge in the day, so I used a serving bowl of hers. I think it was on every table we ate at when we visited them growing up. I think one time when dad went to visit them, they sent some food back in the bowl and we just never gave it back. It was one of the things I wanted when we cleaned out dad's house.
 |
| It's part of a whole set of dishes grandmaw and granddaddy had. I think its called Alpine Swiss or something like that. I looked them up once and they came from gas stations. You could get different pieces with a full tank of gas. |
In between dinner and dessert, Mick's mom asked for some gloves and pruning shears. She insisted on weeding the flower beds. I helped what I could, but she started to point out where the poison ivy was and I stayed clear. I have always been very allergic to any poison. She usually wants to get into the flower beds when they come over. A few minutes later and she had most of the backyard cleared.
The promise of pie got her to come in and clean up. For a tiny woman, she can eat quite a few desserts. Mick made his banana pudding, his sister brought a strawberry pie and a friend brought some muffins filled with peach and cherry. Well, the chocolate pie tasted good, but the hit was the coconut. Mick's mom really liked it, so I gave her the rest to take home. We usually give them and his sister some food to take home. We always make way more than we can eat and we don't want that many leftovers. I rarely give up any deviled eggs though.
I think his mom had a great Mother's Day. We also put together a card with some pictures of all the family and the animals. She kept looking it over and over. She really liked it. When everyone left, we did what we always do. We took a nap! After all that food, sleeping it off was the best remedy for full bellies.
It was nice to include my mom and grandmaw a little in the day. Happy Mother's Day.
