When I was at Gene and Esther's house a few weeks ago, I ask Gene if there was any dessert he wanted in particular for the Father's Day dinner we had planned at our home.
Gene asked if I would be so kind as to make a coconut cream pie. Coconut cream pie with a meringue is his favorite dessert.
Gene asked if I would be so kind as to make a coconut cream pie. Coconut cream pie with a meringue is his favorite dessert.
Gene then told me how when he was growing up his grandmother always had a coconut cream pie for him when he came to visit. It seems, as the only grandson he was spoiled from time to time.
I explained to Gene that I had never made a coconut cream pie, but I certainly was not afraid to try.
This weekend it was time to make good on my promise to Gene; it was time to bake my first coconut cream pie.
My grandmother once told me that everyone should have an old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, as the recipes are better in the older cookbooks. There are no shortcuts taken. And, I'll have to agree - if you want to make a recipe the way grandma used to, use the cookbook grandma would have used. I pulled my BH&G cookbook off the shelf (copyright 1953).
I explained to Gene that I had never made a coconut cream pie, but I certainly was not afraid to try.
This weekend it was time to make good on my promise to Gene; it was time to bake my first coconut cream pie.
My grandmother once told me that everyone should have an old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, as the recipes are better in the older cookbooks. There are no shortcuts taken. And, I'll have to agree - if you want to make a recipe the way grandma used to, use the cookbook grandma would have used. I pulled my BH&G cookbook off the shelf (copyright 1953).
Sure enough, I was able to find a recipe for a coconut cream pie.
If you would like to make the pie, here's the recipe:1/4 cup corn starch
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk scalded (ok, I used 1 cup milk + 1 cup coconut milk)
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup moist shredded coconut + 1/2 cup for the top of the meringue
1 baked 9 inch pastry shell
Mix cornstarch, 2/3 cup sugar, and salt; gradually add milk. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat.
Add small amount to egg yolks; stir into remaining hot mixture; cook 1 minute; stirring constantly. Add butter, vanilla, shredded coconut; cool slightly. Pour into baked pastry shell. Cool.
1 baked 9 inch pastry shell
Mix cornstarch, 2/3 cup sugar, and salt; gradually add milk. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat.
Add small amount to egg yolks; stir into remaining hot mixture; cook 1 minute; stirring constantly. Add butter, vanilla, shredded coconut; cool slightly. Pour into baked pastry shell. Cool.
Yes, the perfect meringue. A proper cream pie should be topped with a perfect meringue. 1. Beat 3 egg whites and 1/4 teaspoon salt till frothy. Whites will whip fluffie if they're at room temperature. Now you're ready to add sugar.
2. Beat in 6 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy. The meringue is ready for the pie when the sugar has dissolved and the meringue is stiff enough to hold a point, yet still looks moist.
3. Cover pie with meringue. Sprinkle 1/2 cup coconut on top of meringue. Bake at 350F for 12 - 15 minutes.
4. Enjoy!
This is the finished Coconut Cream Pie. I hear that it was very tasty, but I didn't get to try a piece myself - it was all gone by the time I got to it!
This is the finished Coconut Cream Pie. I hear that it was very tasty, but I didn't get to try a piece myself - it was all gone by the time I got to it!
I also made a lemon meringue pie, which I learned at dinner was Esther's favorite pie. Must have been my lucky day!
3 comments:
They look yummy! So good when you can make both of the inlaws favorites - sounds like another great Amarillo party at the White House. :)
I'm not a fan of either pie, but they do look fabulous. Very beautiful work. We should have a pie party when you come into this area. I'm sure your mom would be all about enjoying some pie.
My favorite cream pies are from my mothers Betty Crocker Cookbook .. circa 1956.
Check them out
Brooke
http://www.momentsofelegance.com
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