Lemon meringue cake

Grease a 22cm round x 7cm deep cake pan. Line with baking paper.

Beat eggs, sugar and rind in a large bowl of an electric mixer for about 8 to 10 minutes, until thick and tripled in size. Fold in sifted flour. Transfer 1/2 cup of egg mixture to a small bowl. Stir in butter. Fold back into egg mixture. Pour into prepared pan.

Cook in a moderately slow oven ( 160 C) for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cake shrinks away from side of pan. Stand for 5 minutes, turn out on a wire rack to cool.

To make Italian meringue,combine sugar, glucose and water in a small heavy-based saucepan. Stir gently over a low heat until dissolved. Bring to boil. Place a candy thermometer into boiling syrup, boil without stirring, for about 4 minutes, or until temperature reaches 121C (hard-ball stage) remove from heat.

Meanwhile, beat egg whites in a large bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Don't over-beat. Beating on a medium speed, slowly pour the hot syrup steadily into egg whites continue to beat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until meringue is cold.

To assemble, cut cake horizontally into three even layers. Sandwich together with curd on a serving plate. Spread 1 1/4 cups of meringue over top and side of cake. Place remaining meringue into a piping bag fitted with a 2cm plain nozzle. Pipe on top of cake. Use a blowtorch to brown meringue just before serving.