Fit for a 'Do'

Last weekend we got together with our extended family for a Birthday 'do'. Kerry was turning 60, a much loved sister and the eldest of the ten children in my Darling Man's family. She and her husband came over from Aussie to celebrate with us all!
However the extended family get together anyway about every 6 months to play for the 'Lourie Cup' - being quite a competitive lot - it gives the day some focus and purpose. This time 30 of us gathered to play Ten Pin Bowls - both young and old.

One of our daughters went to buy a drink and got chatting to the guy at the counter who asked, "What's with the big group thing?". She explained that we were all from the same family... He was amazed! He said that he had two brothers and he hadn't seen either of them for about 20 years!

Families are really special. All it takes to keep in touch is a bit of effort and organisation and 'voila' much fun and catching up can be had by all!!!! Young and old. It's even better when your family gets to take the Lourie Cup home as we did - one of our daughters has just got engaged and her fiance won the Ten Pin Bowling competition AND therefore the cup! So we, the Pete Lourie Family contingency were yippie-ing, yahoo-ing and shouting with great gusto!

Then there was food - of course... a family 'do' would not be complete without it! We all enjoyed sampling other people's goodies that were brought along to share. When you have to take a plate for a family 'do' it's nice to make something a bit special... I like this Caramel Meringue, it's a great one to share with others because it is far too rich and sweet to eat on your own. Since it is coming up to that 'getting together with the family' time of year I thought you might enjoy giving it a whirl too! You can even make it ahead of time because it keeps well for 3 - 4 days.

As it happens, this weekend our family, as in our four girls and their guys, are staying together at a house overlooking the Kawhia Harbour for fishing and relaxing and hanging out! There's nothing quite like being in the 'bosom of the family' - lovely, lovely!!!

Caramel Meringue.

Base:
150 gms butter, softened
2 Tbspn caster sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour (generous)
1 tsp baking powder
Filling:
395 gm can sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbspn butter
2 Tbspn golden syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 1/2 Tbspn flour
Meringue:
3 egg whites
6 Tbspn caster sugar

Preheat oven to 180 deg C. Line a 20 x 30 cm slice or sponge roll tin with baking paper. To make the base, cream the butter and sugar until pale, then beat in the egg. Sift the flour and baking powder together and stir in, mixing well. Press into the tin. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool in the tin. Leave the oven at 180 C for the meringue. To make the filling, combine the condensed milk, butter, golden syrup, sugar, yolks and vanilla in a saucepan, stirring over a gentle heat until smooth. Add the flour to combine. Cool, then spoon the filling over the base. To make the meringue, beat the egg whites until stiff. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the meringue is glossy. Spoon this over the filling. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the meringue is golden. Leave to cool before slicing into squares with a hot knife. Store in an airtight container. This slice will keep for 3 - 4 days.