Key Lime Pie...

I was at home in Florida this past weekend to lay to rest two very special people.  While the trip was a sad one, there were a few bright moments during the trip.  Sadly, I don't have pictures for all of them, but I'll do my best to describe them.

Friday was tough.  We had my Mema's service in the morning and I was a mess (so was everyone else).  Following that, we had my Uncle Tommy's service.  It was a somber day filled with memories and reflections and love.  I've said it before, but it's funny to me how so many emotions can be wrapped up in an instant when it comes to family and those you love.  At the same time that we were crying, we were also laughing and filled with warmth as we talked about them, the time we had with them, the wonderful memories.  So while it was sad, I actually felt better being with my family to celebrate Mema and Tommy.  And, when we drove home after a steaming hot day, smelling of sweat, BBQ, and salt tears, a double rainbow appeared.  My Sister-in-law and I looked over from the back seat of the car and there it was.  And both rainbows were complete from side to side.  I wish I could have captured a photo of them, but I think that even a photo couldn't match how beautiful they are in  my memory.  I'd say it was a good ending to a hard day.

On a lighter topic- I also took advantage of this quick trip home to nab some of the world's best key lime pie.  I know, the first thought through your head was probably..."Oh, I've had the best key lime pie" or like Mike says "Hooters has THE BEST key lime pie!"  In all seriousness, I'm sure your key lime pie is nice and all, but I know it's not the best.  Why, you might ask?  Because the best key lime pie comes from JJGandy's in Palm Harbor, FL.  It's been prooven.  And you know you can't fight science.  Seriously, you can't.  It's science.

JJ Gandy's has been around since I was a wee little lassie growing up in Palm Harbor (Just north of Clearwater).  They make their pies for most of the local eateries in town, including many of my favorite seafood joints.  They have a little shop in an industrial park that you'd never notice if you weren't looking for it, but you'd be missing out if that actually happened. 

There are a few key points I want to mention about real key lime pie for you non-Floridians:

1. Key Lime Pie should be yellow, NOT green.  If someone serves you green key lime pie, kindly decline their offer. I'm not sure what they've served you.
2. Key lime pie is made with real lime juice from real key limes- not your margarita limes from the grocery store. If you're going to go with a bottled lime juice, http://keylimejuice.com/, this is the ONLY acceptable kind ot use.  Nellie and Joe's is the best, and the recipe is on the back of the bottle. Always prepare a day ahead of when you want to eat it.
3. Key lime pie is set on a graham cracker crust- not chocolate grahams, not another kind of cookie, and not a flaky pie crust.  Again, if you are served any of these, DO NOT EAT!
4. Key lime pie is not fluffy.  Some people mistakenly ad egg whites to 'give it a little something,' this is WRONG!  It should be dense and creamy. No fluff!!!!!  Beware.
5. Key lime pie has real whipped cream on top- not CoolWhip or Ready Whip.  Real whipped cream.

And the best part about JJ Gandy's?  If you call ahead by a day, they will flash freeze a pie (or several) for you, pack it up in icy gel packs, and make it plane-ready.  Yep. I took home a 10in. pie on the plane and train yesterday.  I packed away all of the 'go to' items one might need in their carry-on to make room for this:

This bag made it safely, and still frozen from Palm Harbor to Tampa Airport, Tampa Airport to Newark Airport aboard a Continental flight (more on that tomorrow), from Newark airport to Penn Station train station aboard Amtrak, and from Penn Station to New Haven Station, and on to Milford where we ate it immediately.

Gel packs on top and bottom- the center was still frozen when we ate it.

Yep- this is the place

Something this perfect is begging for a fork!



So, I know you thought the key lime pie you had last week, or the one your mom gave you a recipe for was good... but I'm sorry to tell you it's not this good.  You'll have to visit Palm Harbor to see for yourself.  Or, if you're lucky and live nearby, I might invite you over for a taste. 

PS- for all my crossfitting friends, this is NOT Paleo, but it's soooooo worth it!

Yours in key lime dreams,
Whitney