Orange Angel Torte

Sunday the 17th was a celebration; it was the 2 year anniversary of my dearly beloved's triple bypass.  He gripes about my letting the surgeon slice him open; I celebrate every day that he is alive and well.  So to commemorate that date which I remember so very vividly, I made him a lovely, (relatively) heart friendly pie.

ORANGE ANGEL TORTE

Torte shell:

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat the whites with the cream of tartar until foamy; add the vanilla and continue beating, slowly adding the sugar until the egg whites are stiff.  Spread in a greased pie plate and bake at 275F for one hour.  Turn off the oven and don't open the door until it cools to room temperature.

Filling:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 eggs
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk together the sugar and cornstarch in a pan; add the lemon juice and orange juice and cook until it thickens.  Whisk in the eggs and cook for another minute, then remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and allow it to cool.  When it's cooled, spread it in the cooled torte shell.  Top with whipped cream, if desired, or add a little to each slice as it's served.

For a pie, this is diet food.  With only 2 egg yolks, it's pretty heart-healthy.  Mostly, it's just delicious.

Happy Monday, everyone!  Maybe I"ll get back to regular posts one of these weeks!