SOUR CREAM RAISIN PIE WITH MERINGUE TOPPING

Steps:

• In a bowl soak the raisins in water to cover by about 2-inches for 8 hours or up to 1 day.
• Fit prepared pastry into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.
• Trim dough leaving a 1/2-inch overhang, then crimp edge decoratively.
• Chill the pastry in the fridge until very firm (about 30 minutes).
• Set oven to 425°F (middle oven rack).
• Lightly prick the pastry, then line the shell with foil.
• Fill the foil with pie weights or rice and bake in middle rack for 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove the foil and weights.
• Place back in oven and bake for another 8 minutes.
• Cool shell in pan on rack.
• Reduce oven to 400°F.
• To make the filling: drain the raisins well.
• Separate the 2 eggs and place 5 whites in total into a bowl; set aside.
• In another bowl whisk together the 2 yolks and sour cream in a bowl, then whisk in 1/2 cup sugar flour, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg and salt until very well combined.
• Add in well drained raisins; mix to combine.
• Pour the filling into shell and bake in center oven for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• With pie still in the oven reduce oven again to 350°F and bake for another 30-40 minutes, or until filling is set.
• To make meringue: Remove the pie from the oven but keep the temperature at 350°F.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the 5 room temperature egg whites until they JUST have soft peaks.
• Gradually add in 1/4 cup sugar and keep beating until stiff peaks form.
• Spread the meringue over warm pie, covering filling completely and making certain that the meringue touches shell all the way around (this is important!).
• Bake pie in middle oven until meringue is golden (about 10 minutes).
• Cool pie or serve at room temperature.