Hello CafeTalk community!

Welcome to the second installment of my life in the countryside and cooking from scratch.

Whenever I used to fly to the US, there was one dessert I always looked forward to buying in restaurants, fast-food spots, and supermarkets: Key Lime Pie. Since then, I’ve learned to make it myself at home and realized just how incredibly simple it is. While it can be quite sweet, it is an absolutely fantastic dessert that I thoroughly enjoy.

Living in the countryside, I love using what I have. I’ve made this recipe using oranges and lemons straight off my own trees, as well as limes from the store. Today, I'm sharing my easy, air-fryer friendly version with you!

?? What You Need

• For the Base:
  • 3/4 of a standard packet of biscuits (crushed)
  • A knob of unsalted butter
• For the Filling:
  • 3 egg yolks (Save the whites for meringues later!)
  • 1 small can (approx. 397g) of condensed milk
  • Juice of 2 whole lemons (or oranges/limes) + the grated peel/zest

??‍?? Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: The Biscuit Base

1. Put your biscuits into a liquidizer to break them down into fine crumbs.
2. In a pan, melt the unsalted butter and add the biscuit crumbs. Cook them very slowly on low heat—you don't want the butter to burn! You just want it to bind the mix together.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a baking tin or ceramic bowl to form your base.
4. Place it in your air fryer and bake at a low heat of 180°C (or around 80°C if your model allows a very low dehydrate/warm setting) for about 10 minutes.
5. Take it out and leave it in the bowl to cool.

Step 2: The Tangy Filling

1. Using a hand mixer or a Thermomix, blend the 3 egg yolks for 1 minute.
2. Add the can of condensed milk and mix for another 3 minutes.
3. I love my pie really tangy, so next, pour in the juice of 2 whole lemons and add some grated peel. Mix for a final 3 minutes.

Step 3: The Final Bake

1. Tip the creamy mixture directly onto your cooled biscuit base.
2. Place it back in the air fryer. If your air fryer can go down to 160°C (or 60°C for ultra-low baking), cook it for 12 minutes. If you are baking at 180°C/80°C, cook it for 10 minutes.
3. Remove, let it cool completely, and then pop it in the fridge to chill.

??️ How to Serve It

Serve it chilled! It is absolutely delicious on its own, but you can top it with:

• A squirt of sprayed cream or a drizzle of runny double cream.
• My favorite twist: A homemade strawberry or fruits of the forest compote! Just simmer the berries in a pan (exactly like the fig jam we made before) until reduced. Once cool, spoon it over the pie for a beautiful, tangy contrast to the sweetness.

?? Let's Chat!

Do you enjoy citrus desserts? Have you ever tried baking with an air fryer?

In our next lesson, we can practice food vocabulary, talk about your favorite seasonal recipes, or practice ordering at an American restaurant. I can't wait to hear how your baking goes!

See you in class!