Friday is PIE DAY!

New year, new pies.

I am endlessly jotting down pie recipe ideas-inspired by what I'm eating, a cookbook, a color, a cocktail!
I've had this one on my list for awhile, but was never quite sure what form it would take. The new year seemed like a perfect time to finally try it out because the ingredients all scream "WELLNESS." If that translates the same when they are ensconced in a pie, I don't know......

Honey Ginger Pie with Green Tea Meringue

single 9" pie crust

3/4 cup honey
3 T butter
4 large eggs
2 t crushed crystallized ginger
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt

3 egg whites
4 T sugar
1 t green tea powder

-in a small saucepan, heat honey over medium low, stirring constantly, for 6-8 minutes
-remove from heat and stir in butter until melted
(it turns a lovely, rich, butterscotch color!)

-in medium bowl, whisk eggs for 2-3 minutes
-slowly whisk in the honey and butter mixture

-add the ginger, vanilla, and salt
-stir until well combined

(the crystallized ginger looks like this-just use the back of a spoon to crush it into powder)

-pour the filling into the prepared pie crust
-bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until set and lightly browned on top

For the Meringue

-beat 3 egg whites in large bowl (using a hand or stand mixer)
-as you are beating, slowly add in the sugar and green tea powder,
scraping edges of bowl to make sure all is incorporated
-beat until egg whites form stiff peaks
-spoon meringue on top of cooled pie, sealing to edges of filling and mounding in middle
-bake at 350 degrees on top rack for 10-12 minutes, checking often to prevent burning

If you are a fan of honey, you will love this rich honey custard punctuated by the sharp ginger.

Topped with meringue, this pie is as pretty as it is tasty.