Key Lime Pie

You don't have to be a southerner to enjoy this pie. It's so tart/sweet and melt in our mouth:

Ingredients:

1 & 3/4 cups of crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp. of sugar
6 tbsp of butter, melted
3 large eggs, separated
1 (14 oz ) can of evaporated milk
1/2 cup of fresh key lime juice (most super markets carry the key limes but if you can't find the old stand limes will work great).
1 tbsp of lemon juice
2 tsp of grated lime rind
2 tbsp of sugar
1 cup of whipping cream
1 tbsp confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
lime slices

Combine first three ingredients and press into the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a 9 in. springform pan.Cover and chill for about one hour
Whisk the egg yolks and then add the evaporated milk and the next 3 ingredients and whisk until smooth and creamy
Beat the egg whites at high speed until foamy: gradually add 2 tbsp of the sugar and beat until soft peaks form.
Fold these into the egg yolk mixture and spoon into the chilled crust
Bake at 325 degrees for 15- 20 minutes or until nicely set and lightly browned. Cool on a rack and then chill for 8 hours.
Beat whipping cream at high speed until slightly thickened and then add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until soft peaks form.
Release the sides of the springform pan and do;op whipped cream around on the top of the pie. You may garnish the pie with slices of lime if you prefer.