Sunday, May 3, 2015

Last-Minute Coconut Custard Pie



We had three parties to attend yesterday: two kids' birthday parties and one faculty schmoozer type grill party for my husband's work. While at birthday party number one, husband casually mentions that we are supposed to bring something to the faculty party. And it was requested that the something be a pie. Made by me. Instead of braving the Saturday crowds at Whole Foods to pick up strawberries and rhubarb (besides I'm making those for husband's birthday this week in keeping with tradition), I made another Coconut Custard Pie since I had the ingredients on hand. I also finally got to try the recipe using coconut milk instead of cow's milk. I think the coconut milk made the pie lighter and fluffier somehow, though I have no quantitative evidence to support that. Anyway, here's the quick recipe (adapted from a recipe in the Penzey's spice catalog):

Coconut Custard Pie (makes one 8" pie)

ingredients:
pre-cooked bottom pie crust
2 eggs
3/4 c. plus 2 T. granulated sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/8 t. salt
1 c. coconut milk (not low-fat)
1 t. vanilla extract
1 t. coconut extract
4 T. melted unsalted butter
3.5 oz. sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat eggs in a large bowl. With the exception of the coconut, add the remaining filling ingredients and beat well. Fold in the coconut. Pour into pre-baked pie crust. Bake at 350 F for 44 minutes. Center should still be a little bit jiggly. Allow to cool. I like to eat it when it's still a touch warm. Refrigerate after it's been out for more than a day.

Current Pie Tally: 165

Memorial Meringues



Some friends across the street have become very dear to me over the past year or so. I made these Lemon Meringue Pies to honor their mother/grandmother as part of a memorial gathering after her burial at Arlington. I hadn't made a Lemon Meringue pie in ages, so was glad to have the chance. I was also touched to get to know the deceased pie maker through her recipe. She used all butter and egg yolk in her crust. She was my kind of pie lady. Rest in peace.

Current Pie Tally: 164