Most of the musicals I’ve written about are from the 1950s and 1960s, the heyday of Hollywood musicals. Singin’ in the Rain, Oliver!, and Guys and Dolls fit into that time span. They also sounded the way people expected a musical to sound.
This week’s entry is a little outside the norm. Although it was released in the same year as Oliver!, Yellow Submarine blazed its own path. The plot is equally as psychedelic as the animation, and the Beatles’ music shocked traditionalists. I can’t say it’s one of my favourites, but the girls loved this movie. What child wouldn’t be amused by the Blue Meanies or thrilled by the idea of travelling in a submarine?
The words to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” may or may not have been inspired by drugs (Paul said yes, John said no). But to me they always sounded like a beautiful daydream in a stunning landscape, from the “marmalade skies” to “cellophane flowers of yellow and green”. And didn’t you envy those rocking-horse people who ate marshmallow pies?
I loved this lime marshmallow pie. The lime filling was so good that another time I’d make more (maybe increasing the recipe by one half, or even doubling it). And the marshmallow topping was delicious enough to tempt even the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.
Lime Marshmallow Pie
(adapted from David Liebovitz’s Ready For Dessert)
Graham cracker crust:
1/3 cup butter
1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbsp sugar
Filling: (for even more lime flavour, double this!)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup sugar
pinch of salt
3 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Grated zest of 2 limes
Topping:
1 envelope unflavoured gelatin
1/4 cup cold water (first amount)
1/3 cup cold water (second amount)
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg whites
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
To make the crust, melt 1/3 cup butter. Add graham cracker crumbs and 1 Tbsp sugar, and stir to combine. Press firmly into a 9” pie plate.
To make the filling, combine the lime juice, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, eggs, egg yolks, 6 Tbsp butter and the lime zest in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the edges just barely begin to bubble. Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer into the crust. Bake for eight minutes, until the filling is just set.
Remove the pie from the oven. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees.
To make the topping, in a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the 1/4 cup cold water and allow it to soften and swell for 5 minutes.
In a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, heat the remaining 1/3 cup water with the corn syrup and 1/2 cup sugar over medium-high heat. When the sugar syrup reaches about 210 degrees, start whipping the egg whites. When the egg whites are frothy and the syrup temperature has climbed to 245 degrees, remove the pan from the heat. Increase beater speed to high and, with the mixer running, slowly dribble the syrup into the whites, being careful to avoid pouring hot syrup on the beaters or side of the bowl.
Scrape the softened gelatin into the still-warm saucepan used to make the sugar syrup and stir until melted. With the mixer running, slowly drizzle the gelatin into the egg whites. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until the mixture is cooled to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes.
Using a spatula, spread the topping over the foiling, creating swirls and billowy peaks. Bake until the topping is golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes
Serve at room temperature or chilled.
I love that you go to all these musicals with your children. We have them here but not in the way you describe.
What fun to create a lime marshmallow pie in honor of the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". You're so creative. I'll bet this buy is tart and luscious.
Thank you for taking us on your journey, it was fun!
Lime and marshmallows–what a great combination!
"The Yellow Submarine"….I immediately started singing "Lucy in the sky….
I think most of the songs saw a little controversy I believe. Lime and marshmallow, sounds pretty perfect to me. I love this series. Bonnie
I've heard Yellow Submarine so often over the years, but never actually saw the movie. Just about everything about The Beatles blazed its own path, didn't it …
Is retro in the water right now, or what? I just love pies with fluffy tops and feel like they've been hardcore under-appreciated as of late (excluding The Silks). The lime base is such a nice twist as well.
p.s. The fact that you promote doubling the flavor is how I know that if we were to bake or cook together in real life, we would get along swimmingly. No pun intended!
I sang a few songs from this during my elementary school play. SO much fun! And this pie? Well it looks divine. I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, my friend. I'm about to begin a week of baking, traveling and celebrating with family. Much love and many blessings.
Such a decadent pie, and I love the inspiration for this!
Very creative, the pie looks delicious and I love how you match the recipes up with the musicals. Now I have Lucy in the Sky in my head 🙂
Lime. Marshmallow. Pie. Triple wow! I need this pie in my life. (And apparently, I need to rent Yellow Submarine!):D
i love the beatles and i love all things marshmallow. this is a neat variation of a lime pie!
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds takes me back to my teens – I remember having to do an art project in high school based on this song. Definitely a song that conjures up so much visual imagery.
Love the look of this pie – especially like the idea of the marshmallow topping – nice change from the usual meringue topping.
🙂
Now I have this song in my head…who can say to marshmallows?
I miss those musicals; they were so enjoyable; we sure live in different times;can't see the teens and young people going for this any more; so sad.
Your marshmallow pie also brings back good memories.
Best wishes for this holiday season Beth.
Rita
Absolutely yummy Beth! I would sure enjoy a slice of your pie, of course while listening to a little music in the background;-)
That is the perfect dish for Yellow Submarine. The visual is great!! I am sure the taste was pretty wonderful, too.
Oooh, this pie looks so wonderful. Unique and delicious…and I love that The Yellow Submarine was your inspiration! Merry Christmas, my friend!
Love your luscious Lime Marshmallow pie, Beth! I would certainly sing along with the "Yellow Submarine" song, and shed a few "happy tears" of this song, sung by me, my children, and surely enough; also by my little grandchildren who incidentally love the Beatles songs:DDD
Slightly ashamed to admit I've never seen Yellow Submarine (but can probably sing all the songs seeing as how popular they were! The pie sounds wonderful, almost like a key lime pie with marshmallow topping. Yummy.
This looks AMAZING. I would probably make it with lemon instead of lime, but still, wow. It sounds delicious.
I haven't heard of this musical, but the pie looks divine Beth! The combination of flavors is simply beyond words!
I'm really loving your musical-themed recipes. I haven't thought of Yellow Submarine or "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" for years. Of course now I've got "Lucy" playing in my head and can't get rid of it! Anyway, great looking pie. Love lime (any citrus, really) so of course I vote this one a winner. Thanks for this.
This pie looks delicious. Love the flavors.
This looks deliciously fluffy! Yum!
This looks delightfully delicious! I am going to bookmark this and give it a try.
That lime pie looks incredible, Beth! I want that slice :)I you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New year with lots and lots of love 🙂
HUGS <3
Whether they were inspired by hallucinogenics or not, beatles' songs never fail to put a smile on my face. And this pie wouldn't fail to either. It does sound like something out of a technicolor dream. A delicious one.
I love this series of inspired recipes Beth! The topping on this looks perfect–so thick and fluffy.
Drugs or not, all the imagery in the Beatles' work is so creative and vivid! This pie is just perfect for "Yellow Submarine". I haven't seen the movie in ages, but next time I watch it I'll have to make this pie!
I have a soft spot for Yellow Submarine (my youth!). And I have a soft spot for the lime flavor. This is a sweet combination of both – destined for smiles.
What a yummy looking cake! Wish I had a slice right now!!
As the child of an old hippie, yellow "sub-bar-rine" was my favorite song as a kid. I just love reading your interpretation of musicals & the desserts paired with them. Marshmallow topping lime is brilliant!
That looks really yummy! I love lime, so I think doubling the filling sounds like a great idea.
Yummy!!! Would love the whole pie, please.
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You're so creative. I would love a slice of that pie!