Strawberry Rhubarb Custard Meringue Pie

from The Incredible Edible Egg

Ingredients for Filling:

• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 EGG YOLKS, well beaten
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 Basic Unbaked Piecrust

Ingredients for Meringue:

• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/3 cup cold water
• 5 EGG WHITES, room temperature
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. HEAT oven to 425°F.
2. FILLING: MIX sugar and flour in medium bowl. WHISK in egg yolks, half-and-half, and vanilla; beat until blended. GENTLY FOLD in rhubarb and strawberries. POUR into crust. PLACE pie on rack in center of 425°F oven and BAKE for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking until almost set, 25 to 30 minutes; center will jiggle slightly. Cool on wire rack 5 to 10 minutes. Immediately make
3. MERINGUE: DISSOLVE cornstarch in cold water in one cup glass measure. MICROWAVE on HIGH 30 seconds; stir. MICROWAVE until mixture boils, 15 to 30 seconds longer. Remove; cover. BEAT egg whites and cream of tartar in mixer bowl with whisk attachment on high speed until foamy. Beating constantly, ADD sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating after each addition until sugar is dissolved before adding the next. Continue beating until whites are glossy and stand in soft peaks. Beating constantly, ADD cornstarch paste, 1 to 2 Tbsp. at a time. BEAT in vanilla.
4. Quickly SPREAD meringue evenly over filling, starting at edge and sealing to crust all around; swirl with back of spoon.
5. BAKE in upper third of 350°F oven until lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes.

Cool on wire rack 1 hour, then refrigerate 3 to 4 hours before serving.