Coconut Custard Pie - Three Ways

Coconut lovers, this post is for you.

My final decision for the coconut custard pie was to make another recipe. Though untested, it came out well and I think it is what the MOB wanted.

I found the recipe on the web. It was apparently someone's favorite family recipe for a true custard pie with coconut added. Today I am sharing all three recipes with you to try for yourself since you didn't get to try my pies but had to look at photos of them.

All three custard pie recipes are baked in pie shells that are "blind" baked, or pre-baked. I thought I would share my tricks for blind baking a pie shell. I also made crusts like these for the banana cream and chocolate cream wedding pies.

First you roll out a pie crust and line the pie dish, fluting the edges. Refrigerate the crust for fifteen minutes. (For a recipe and tutorial on my method of rolling pie crust without muss or fuss, check out my Pie Crust 101 post.)



Next- line the pie crust with parchment paper, pressing it against the dough smoothly. I used the same piece of parchment on which I rolled the dough, trimming the edges.



Fill the pie dish with dried beans to act as pie weights. No need to buy fancy pie weights. I use these beans over and over (thus their browned color) and they work just fine. Dry, raw rice would also work. The pie weights (beans) hold the crust in place and keep it from shrinking or puffing up while baking. I did not prick the crust with a fork because I was lazy. It doesn't seem to make much of a difference if you do or don't.

Bake the crust in a 375 degree oven for twenty minutes. At this point the crust is partially baked and can be used for a baked custard pie like pumpkin pie or coconut custard pie or quiche. For a fully baked crust to use with a cream pie that won't be baked again with the filling, remove the beans by lifting them out with the parchment paper and set aside. Return the pie crust to the oven to bake for an additional ten minutes until golden brown.

Coconut Custard Pie

from the Williams-Sonoma Baking Book

Line a nine inch pie pan with a crust and partially blind bake it as described above.

Spread 1 1/2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut on a baking sheet. Toast in a 350 degree oven until golden brown about 10-12 minutes. Watch carefully because once the coconut starts to brown it darkens very quickly and can easily burn. Pour onto a plate to cool.

In a bowl whisk together:
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt

Add:
2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Stir in the toasted coconut and pour into the partially baked crust.

Bake the pie until the top is golden and the filling is firm in the center, 45-55 minutes.
Cool and serve at room temperature.

If I made this pie again, I would eliminate or reduce the lemon and substitute coconut milk for the whole milk.

Creamy Coconut Custard Pie
from Martha Stewart recipes

Line a nine inch pie dish with pie crust and fully blind bake in a 375 degree oven.

For the filling:

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup corn starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

While crust is baking, place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan (off heat), whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually whisk in whole milk, making sure to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in coconut milk and egg yolks.

Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until the first large bubble sputters, about five minutes. Reduce heat to low; cook, whisking constantly, one minute. Remove pan from heat; immediately pour custard through sieve into bowl.

Pour custard from bowl into cooled crust; smooth top with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until chilled, at least four hours.

Coconut Custard Wedding Celebration Pie
from the internet

Partially blind bake a pie crust in a ten inch pie shell (note this is a bigger pie pan. I had quite a bit of leftover custard filling so this can be a larger or deeper pie pan.)

Whisk together in a bowl or with a mixer or blender:

5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Add 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut and pour the filling into the pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until custard is set. Chill at least three hours before serving.

The final pie was worth the extra trouble of testing these recipes. They are all good!

The gift.

Yesterday we set out to a computer store so hubby could order his birthday gift. While Kerri and I tried to understand what was being said, hubby (in a matter of minutes) had assembled his dream come true stack of boxes. I finally came out of my geek-induced coma in time to pay, and wait for the call to pick up the new toy next week.

As we were leaving the candy store for computer fanatics, we realized the new Asian supermarket megastore was right next door. On a whim, we decided to go check it out. When the doors opened, my initial reaction was that it smelled like China. And I was instantly transported back in time to Nanchang, JiangXi, where we visited a supermarket (much like this one) with Kerri.

My second reaction was of awe. There was so much to see! And so many Asians! But what awed me was Kerri's reaction. She had a look of deja vu and the biggest smile on her face. Right in front of her was an employee handing out taste samples of dumplings, Kerri's favorite. And there were taste sample posts everywhere - and Kerri had to stop and try each one of them.

We bought Dim Sum, and Sushi, and a Coconut Bun, and dumplings, and edemame, and Chinese crisp candies, Tofu, and a tea set, and baby bok choy, and I forget what else. And Kerri said "Ni Hao" (hello) to everyone she met, and "Xi Xi" (thank you) every chance she got. We checked every aisle, and Kerri spent extra time looking at all the live seafood. And when we were leaving, as she finished up her last sample, she had this dreamy look on her face. I asked her if she liked the supermarket, and she said: "Yes, it reminds me of China." And then she asked me if she could learn Chinese. I was dumbstruck. That was the first time Kerri ever asked to learn Chinese, she never seemed interested in it before.

When we came home, we ate most of our goodies, (and it was all amazing and authentic!), and Kerri asked for her chopsticks. And I was thrilled she identified with her culture. And glad she wants to learn more about it. But I am sad that she does not have any Chinese mentors in her life. I think I need to fix that. So maybe instead of starting Girl Guides in September, we will look for a Chinese culture/language school.

Life with Kerri is the gift.