Americana Key Lime Pie

1 T Unflavored gelatin (1 env.)

1/2 c Sugar

1/4 t Salt

4 ea Egg yolks

1/2 c Lime juice

1/4 c Water

1 t Grated lime peel

1 x Few drops green food color

4 ea Egg whites

1/2 c Sugar

1 c Heavy cream, whipped

1 ea 9-in baked pastry shell

1 x Pistachio nuts, chopped

1 x Lime slices for garnish

1 x Heavy cream, whipped, to top

Thoroughly mix gelatin, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt in saucepan. Beat together egg yolks, lime juice, and water; stir into gelatin mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat just till mixture comes to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in grated peel. Add food coloring sparingly to tint pale green. Chill, stirring occasionally, until the mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon. Beat egg whites till soft peaks form; gradually add 1/2 c sugar, beating to stiff peaks. Fold gelatin mixture into egg whites.

Fold in whipped cream. Pile into cooled baked pastry shell. Chill till firm. Spread with more whipped cream; edge with grated lime peel. Sprinkle chopped pistachio nuts in center. Garnish with thinly sliced lime placed in whipped cream mounds around edge of pie. Source: Better Homes & Gardens Dessert Cookbook. "A spectacular from the famous Miami hotel!"