In a restaurant of café, when we ask, "What kind of pie do you have?" we're always hoping to hear the magic words lemon meringue. When we don't, we're disappointed, because it's not a pie we feel comfortable making even though we love its tangy, citrusy sweetness. 

 

That's about to change. 

 

Looking over a dozen lemon meringue pie recipes, we see that most include a simple combination of ingredients. The lemon filling is sugar, a little flour and cornstarch, water, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and egg yolks. This part we've got covered. 

Ok, but what about the meringue? There's just something a little intimidating about it what with its whipping and stiff foamy peaks of egg whites. It's a process that seems equal parts mystical and chemical, and ripe for disaster. We take our time. We keep our egg-whites cold in the refrigerator until just when they are needed. We hover over the kitchen-aid. 

But presto -- our meringue is a billowy, curling mass. "Oh, really is that all?" It was easy as pie. A pie breakthrough. 

Just think what the local celebrity chefs lined-up for Pie Social might be coming up with -- we can't wait to see what they've got in store for us. 

 

The big question is -- will you bring pies to Pie Social or will you just taste? The choice is up to you. Here's how you can enjoy the fun. First, a line up of local celebrity bakers will be offering their pies for your tasting enjoyment ($10 for 5 tasting tickets, which you can buy the day of the event) and each will also offer up a whole pie for a silent auction. 

Or, you are invited to bake a pie -- or two -- for our community pie tasting. Bring two pies and we'll give you 5 tasting tickets. You can download an application or simply show up Nov. 13 with pie. And there's no baking requirement -- you are welcome to simply come and buy tasting tickets.