Thankful Thursdays: Week 25 – Stepping Outside my Comfort Zone and a Recipe for Mini Key Lime Pies

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Stepping out of my comfort zone seems to be a common theme lately.

Selling our house, moving to Phoenix, starting a new life in baseball?  Not so comfortable.

Sharing my faith on my blog?  As comfortable as jumping off a wobbly pole 30 feet in the air.

Going to Ethiopia in July?  That’s about 8,942 miles away from my comfort zone.

But you know what I’ve learned from all of this discomfort?  I’ve learned that comfort is overrated.  Life, real life, is lived in the exciting moments.  The heart-pounding, who-knows-what-will-happen-next, ok-let’s-jump moments.

I’m learning to be thankful for uncertainty.  I’m learning to get excited about what’s next…even if I have absolutely no idea about what’s coming.  I’m learning to lean on God every day, every moment, as I dip my toe into uncharted waters.

So what the heck does this have to do with key lime pie?  Well, I’ve never made key lime pie for one simple reason: I’m afraid of cooking eggs over a double boiler.  Can you believe it?  I was convinced that I’d mess it up.  Well guess what.  I didn’t.  I got it right! And you can too.  It’s really not that hard.  The key is to keep the heat low, even if it takes a few minutes for everything to melt.  Don’t rush it, just be patient.

The Recipe ReDux theme this month is “small bite desserts”.  Desserts are already out of my comfort zone, and making them smaller just complicates things.  My mom came up with the idea for the mini key lime pies.  We thought it would be fun to use little cookies in place of a crust.  Unfortunately, the mini cookies I bought weren’t quite mini enough, so I had to trim them to fit.

Joe and Leila helped out by placing the liners in the mini muffin tin and putting a cookie square in the bottom of each one.

Their favorite part was snacking on some of the trimmings.

We let the filling cool while we ran to the gym for a quick workout and swimming lessons.  The kids gave the mini pies a quick sniff test when we got home.

Leila thought they smelled pretty good.

But they had to taste them to be sure.

These mini key lime pies are gluten-free, dairy-free and delicious.  A cute little dessert from beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone.  Enjoy.

Mini Key Lime Pies

Key lime pie in mini form! Gluten-free and Dairy-free.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Pamela's Ginger Mini Snapz cookies
  • 6 whole eggs
  • 3/4 cup agave nectar or honey or combine the two
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice about 14 key limes
  • 1/4 cup Earth Balance Butter
  • 1 Tbsp. organic vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 2 tsp. unflavored gelatin

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your mini muffin tin by lining each cup with a mini muffin liner. Trim gingersnaps by cutting off each rounded side until you have a small square that will fit in the bottom of a mini muffin cup. Trim 24 cookies, place each square in a mini muffin cup, and save the trimmings for garnish.
  • In a double boiler, whisk eggs and agave nectar (or honey) over medium-low heat. Mix in lime zest.
  • Add coconut oil and whisk. Add lime juice and butter, continue whisking until completely melted. Make sure not to turn up the heat yet, you don't want the eggs to curdle.
  • Once everything has melted, turn heat to medium and whisk for 3-5 minutes until mixture starts to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • In a small bowl, mix together water and gelatin. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.
  • Whisk gelatin mixure into pie filling.
  • Using a ladle, pour filling over gingersnap cookie-filled mini muffin cups. Fill almost to the top.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until set. Garnish with leftover cookie crumbs and key lime slices.

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Happy Anniversary Recipe ReDux!  I’m thankful for the way you have pushed me out of my comfort zone in the kitchen over the past year.  I can’t wait to see what’s next!


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  • Elizabeth Jarrard June 21, 2012 at 3:38 am

    life is live outside our comfort zones. love that truth! and oh my god could your kids get cuter? great post!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:36 am

      Thank you Elizabeth!

  • Jillian {Her Split Ends} June 21, 2012 at 6:21 am

    ummmmm YUM! Nicely done. What a great way to step outside your comfort zone {makes my mouth water!!} Definitely trying these bad boys!!

    Cheers
    ~ Jillian
    http://www.hersplitends.com

    p.s your munchkins are so precious!!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:36 am

      Thanks Jillian, I hope you like them as much as we did!

  • Jessica @ Nutritioulicious June 21, 2012 at 6:25 am

    You’re kids are so adorable! Love how they are helping you in the kitchen. And as usual, beautiful pictures and delicious-looking recipe!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:37 am

      Thank you Jessica! The kids had fun with this one.

  • Nour Zibdeh June 21, 2012 at 6:26 am

    I love key lime pie and my husband doesn’t, so I never want to make a whole one. That solves my problem! Love you pictures and how you garnished the pies. I feel with you about stepping out of your comfort zone–going through some ‘uncomfortable’ change times myself, making important decisions, and to the best I can enjoying the ride. Good luck–I can’t wait to hear about your Ethiopia trip! Your kids are so cute!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:37 am

      Thank you Nour. Best of luck on your uncomfortable changes 🙂

  • Janel June 21, 2012 at 6:57 am

    Stepping outside your comfort zone is where you grow the most. Can’t wait to hear more about your new endeavors!!!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:38 am

      Thank you Janel, I totally agree!

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat June 21, 2012 at 6:59 am

    Can’t decide if your kids of the mini pies are more adorable! 😉

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:38 am

      Hmm, I’ll have to go with the kids 🙂

  • Dr Barb, Nutrition Budgeteer June 21, 2012 at 7:25 am

    5 stars
    I love key lime pie. It’s one of my favorites. I’ve only made it myself a fe times. Love your version. Sounds so much healthier than the typical recipe. Your kids are adorable and great helpers it looks like.

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Thanks Barb, they love to help in the kitchen. Especially when they get to taste-test!

  • Becky @ TOHG June 21, 2012 at 8:08 am

    You’ve made these mini pies look so cute and delicious. Love the styling with some topped with lime slices and others with cookie crumbs!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Thanks Becky, I’m trying to be better about food styling 🙂

  • Deanna @ Teaspoon of Spice June 21, 2012 at 8:20 am

    Love so many things about this post (you truly live up to your name Inspired 🙂 The photos of the kids are precious (love the one of Joe looking at Leila) and oh yeah, the actual mini pies look and sound amazing!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Thanks Deanna 🙂 That was my favorite picture too.

  • JeJe June 21, 2012 at 8:24 am

    Oh your key lime pies look so elegant as well as wonderful and I love how your children were involved!:)

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Thank you JeJe!

  • Farida June 21, 2012 at 8:35 am

    4 stars
    This is a great recipe 🙂 ur kids made me smile :)))

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Glad they could put a smile on your face 🙂

  • Hazel C. June 21, 2012 at 9:08 am

    There is coconut oil in the directions but not on the ingredient list?

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:41 am

      Oops, thanks for pointing that out! It’s fixed now 🙂

  • Shelah Phillipsen June 21, 2012 at 9:40 am

    You are doing an amazing job living out of your comfort zone. Your faith, husband and adorable kids I am sure make it a tad bit easier and fun!!

    Those key lime little cakes are so cute and I love love love your Guy Fieri knife!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Thanks Shelah! Jeff got the knife for Christmas…and I’ve been loving it ever since 🙂

  • Carlene @ Carlene's Figments June 21, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Okay, first of all your children are so adorable! I love this post and have a brother who obsesses over all things Key Lime Pie- perfect!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Oh good! You should make him some 🙂

  • gretchen June 21, 2012 at 11:48 am

    what sweethearts you have as taste testers!? key lime pie is such a summer craving for me. i’ll have to give these a go. and well done on your leaps of faith… with the pies, but especially the things that are more eternal. 🙂

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 11:56 am

      Thank you Gretchen 🙂 And your mochi cakes sound delish!

  • Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian June 21, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    These are just darling!!
    I was so excited about this challenge cause I just love mini everything!!
    And a mini pie..even better!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks Kristen! I love mini things too, just don’t really know how to make them 🙂

  • Karman June 21, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    What an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing your latest adventures outside of your comfort zone, and for the great recipe….LOVE key lime pie!

  • EA-The Spicy RD June 21, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    Such a great post Alysa, and your mini pies look absolutely delicious! Key lime pie was one of the first things I ever baked as a kid. My parent’s neighbors still talk about them today 🙂 Your trip to Ethiopia sounds amazing, but I have also found as I have gotten older, it feels so good to try even “little” things outside of your comfort zone. Happy ReDux!

    • inspiredrd June 21, 2012 at 11:39 pm

      Thanks EA. I’m working on doing the little things outside of my comfort zone too (like the double boiler) 🙂

  • Meg June 22, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Very cute idea! These (and your photos of the pies) turned out beautifully. Good luck with all that comes next in life.

    • inspiredrd June 22, 2012 at 9:06 am

      Thank you Meg!

  • Ashley Oswald June 22, 2012 at 11:02 am

    I’m an intern with The Meal Makeover Moms and these mini pies look delicious, definitely seems like it was worth the step or two outside of your comfort zone! Thanks for sharing!

  • Sarah June 22, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Mom is going to LOVE these! Thanks for the recipe!

  • GRAINCRAZY June 22, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    These look so refreshing. I love lime. I will have to give these a try. Thanks for the yummy recipe. 🙂

  • Liz - Meal Makeover Mom June 23, 2012 at 5:52 am

    Your pictures get prettier and prettier all the time .. and your kids are too cute! Love the recipe. It looks amazing. Janice and I created an avocado key lime pie recipe that we plan to post this summer. Those limes are magical!

  • Molly Jones June 24, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    These look absolutely delicious and are so cute (although not as cute as your kids!) I am interning for Regan and am excited to get to “know” the ReDux members. Thanks for sharing the great recipe!

    Molly Jones
    Intern for ReganMillerJonesInc.

  • Marie June 25, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    This is such a great summer recipe and the pics of your children are priceless! Loved the diastasis post too, I bought the tuppler technique book and have found it useful.

  • Michelle April 6, 2013 at 6:56 am

    Hi, we are new to the gluten free world.
    We are also dairy free now.
    Your recipe calls for 6 eggs. Is there any substitute for the eggs for those of us who are dairy free?
    Thanks for all the great tips!

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