Saturday, November 23, 2013

A Coconut Treat for Christmas


Welcome back to my kitchen!
Thought I'd give you and your oven a little break
today, by sharing my most popular recipe,
Coconut Cream Pie, as promised.


This particular recipe comes from the magazine, 
Ladies' Home Journal, May 1991 edition. The recipe calls
for a ready made, baked, pastry crust, but because this is
not available here on the island, I always substitute it with my
own digestive cookie crumble crust, which only requires
ten minutes of baking. The rest of the pie is cooked on the stove top!



 To make the crust: 

1 single 9-inch baked pastry crust
 
or

 ½ cup digestive cookies
 (or graham crackers)

¼ cup butter, melted

1 tbsp sugar


To make the filling:

⅔  cup sugar

¼ cup cornstarch

¼ tsp salt

2 ½ cups milk

½ cup heavy or whipping cream

3 large egg yolks

1 shredded coconut (I add a little more)

    1 tbsp butter or margarine

     2 tsp vanilla extract


To make the topping:

¾ heavy or whipping cream

2 tbsp icing sugar (my addition)

1 tbsp rum or brandy (my addition)

 ½ cup shredded coconut, toasted

 Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
Crumble cookies, stir in butter and sugar 
and press into pie plate.
Bake 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.


Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in large 
saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk and cream
until smooth. Bring to boil over medium-high 
heat, stirring gently, boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. 


Beat egg yolks lightly in a small bowl.
Gradually whisk in 1 cup hot filling mixture, 
then return to saucepan, whisking constantly.
Boil 1 minute more. Remove from heat.





Immediately pour filling into baked pastry/cookie crust.
Cool on wire rack 15 minutes, (I bring it to room temperature).
 Cover filling and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 


Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form.
Add icing sugar and rum, (optional, but adds to
that exotic essence!).

Just before serving, spread pie with
whipped cream mixture, and sprinkle with toasted
coconut. Makes 8 servings. 


I made this tasty, tropical pie recently for 
some dear friends, for a Sunday luncheon
 I had the pleasure of hosting, here at the house.


Now, this family is quite traditional, and
they don't stray too far away from their Cretan 
cuisine, but as soon as they tasted this pie's creamy,
coconut flavour, it was love at first bite!


Eva, the lovely daughter, and a student of mine,
carefully noted down the recipe, while her parents
indulged in the tropical luxury of a luscious coconut treat!

Thanks for visiting!



At Home With Jemma on Monday the 9th
The Cafe Sucre Farine  on Monday the 9th
Poppy View on Tuesday the 10th.
Red Rose Alley on Wednesday the 11th
Home and Lifestyle Design (that's me) also on Wednesday the 11th
Comfy House on Thursday the 12th
Cozy Little House on Thursday the 12th
The Refeathered Roost on Friday the 13th
The Dedicated House on Saturday the 14th
Across The Way  on Saturday the 14th
- See more at: http://www.homeandlifestyledesign.com/#sthash.OHZjGEeJ.dpuf

47 comments:

  1. Yum! R.H. will be wanting me to make this so I've printed it out. Thank you for sharing the recipe here, Poppy. Would graham crackers work for the crust? I love the very British sound of "digestible cookies" but am not quite sure what that is. This Tennessee girl needs to know more!

    Now you have me really hungry for Coconut Cream Pie!

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    1. Hi Dewena,

      Yes! Graham crackers, which we also don't get here, are actually the American substitute for digestive biscuits (UK), or cookies, as we say! I see, from the comments that follow that Americans aren't familiar with these semi-sweet cookies which are characterized by an aromatic malt extract!

      I know R.H. will enjoy this refreshing pie, and since coconut is his favourite, it will be an extra special treat!

      xo
      Poppy

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  2. I must ask, what are digestive cookies? I have never heard of them before and to me, it would seem like it would be more difficult to find digestive cookies on an island than a prebaked pie crust! I do enjoy making cookie crusts. Your coconut cream pie looks delicious and it has to be the best compliment to be asked for the recipe. I am so glad you enjoyed your luncheon and it was a great success! I hope you have a great weekend.

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    1. Hi Stacy,

      You would think that a ready baked pie crust would be easier to find, but on this Mediterranean island, processed foods are not too popular! Also, the more a recipe seems to emulate 'from scratch', the stronger the nod of approval!

      xo
      Poppy

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  3. Coconut cream pie is one of my favorites, however is always make homemade graham cracker crust.

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  4. It looks delicious. I have never heard of digestive cookies. I would make it with graham cracker crust. Love your photograph - I can practically taste it just looking at it.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  5. I've been craving a sweet while perusing through my favorite blogs, and then your decadent coconut pie pops up. What I wouldn't give for a piece of that right now! Oh, well, I'll have to settle for something a lot less interesting for now, but I'm pinning this to make sometime soon!

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  6. Yummy pie! I love your pretty teapot and your lovely C'mas touches...you are set for the holidays my friend.
    FABBY

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  7. It looks like a great recipe. I have not heard of digestive cookies for a long time. My Grandmother used them years ago.

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  8. Coconut Cream Pie is one of my favourites. If we are in a restaurant that serves good pie I will always order this one. I've never made it myself though. I'd eat the whole thing!! I'm looking forward to all the Christmas decorating, crafting, cooking parties coming up. I wish the Thanksgiving holiday was over in the US. lol It's so late this year. Canada is ready and waiting. :) Have a great weekend Poppy.

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  9. Sounds really yummy something I need to make I'm sure my gang would love it :) thanks for sharing!!!!

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  10. That was my Daddy's favorite kind of pie! Yours sounds amazing!!
    xo Kris

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  11. This pie as well as lemon meringue were my grandfather's favorite pies. He was always thin but oh, could he eat pie! :)

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  12. Oh Poppy, thank you for posting this recipe! My family would love this pie!

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  13. Looks absolutely delicious and those digestive cookies are are favorites (of course I love the kind with the chocolate topping which wouldn't work for a pie crust, but sure are good stand-alone's!) Look forward to the Christmas tour!

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  14. Ciao Poppy! That looks divine, I love coconut. : ) x

    Louisa @ My Family & Abruzzo

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  15. You have inspired me to make a banana cream pie (I don't care for coconut) for Thanksgiving. My daughter is making apple.

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  16. Hi Poppy!

    Mmm! Your pie looks so good and I love graham cracker crusts. I'll pop over to check out the links for the holiday home tours (love those too!) Hope you have a nice weekend! xxleslie

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  17. I'm so excited for your blog tour, Poppy. I read about it on another blog and I can't wait to see what everyone has to show off. The pie looks delicious. I never liked custards as a child but as I've gotten older, I have a much better appreciation for them. And, in general, I'm a huge fan of pie. :)

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  18. I had fun reading the other comments, digestives are probably THE most popular biscuit over here, especially chocolate digestives (but then they're not so good for pies). Yours looks delicious Poppy, similar to a baked cheesecake I make, but not too often because calories aren't my friend !
    I'll be sure to look in on your Christmas inspiration series, how exciting !

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  19. Oh Poppy, your pie is to die for. I got all excited just reading the recipe and seeing the pictures. I am going to try it when I have some friends over. Thanks so much for sharing this WONDERFUL pie recipe.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  20. This is one of my very favorite pies. When at a restaurant and given the option, I always choose this one!
    Brenda

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  21. Coconut Cream Pie is my favorite too. Now I'll have to make one soon.
    I didn't thing of using digestives-great idea! Can you get them there or
    does your family ship them to you?

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  22. The coconut treat looks very tempting!

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  23. Poppy, your Coconut Cream pie looks delicious.. Thank you for sharing the recipe..

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  24. Hello Poppy
    This pie looks delicious and so refreshing. Coconut always tempts.
    Have a glorious week

    Helen x

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  25. Thanks for the recipes and they look Yummy!!!

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  26. Thanks for the recipe! Have a great week :)

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  27. Oh Poppy,
    Indeed you have created a scrumptious delicacy that will indeed be a perfect ending to a luncheon, dinner or Holiday meal.
    Coconut pie is one of my very favorites as well as a lovely and beautiful pie to serve.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe with us and for joining in on Tis The Season!
    Holiday Hugs,
    Jemma

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  28. Yum! Your pie looks delicious, Poppy! I haven't made coconut cream pie in years. Love your pretty teapot! The apple on top is adorable! Thank you for joining me for Tea Time and have a lovely day, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  29. Your pie sounds delicious and coconut cream pie happens to be my favorite pie. I'll have to give this recipe a try maybe over the holidays. Thanks for sharing.
    Cindy

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  30. Hi Poppy,
    your Coconut cream pie looks so tempting. You showed the recipe perfect in every step. Thank you so much, I will definately try it.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  31. Hi Poppy, this is one of my favorite pies! I would love to try this recipe sometime and thanks for sharing. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Julie

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  32. Wonderful! That's my husband's favorite pie! And things are going to be so fun with the blog tour!
    Ruth

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  33. Yum yum yum! I love a hint of tropical essence in a traditional creamy pie. Transports me back to my homeland. Fortunately for my oven, can have a break from me as I'm away on holiday. Thank you Poppy this recipe will be added to my list of yummy treats for Christmas season.

    Hugs from Amsterdam

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  34. That pie looks so good. It is my favorite. Have a great Thanksgiving. Blessings, Martha

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  35. I love coconut cream pie ... thank you for the recipe ... a piece of this pie and a cup of tea would be delightfully delicious!

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  36. What a delicious tea time! That is a great tea pot by the way. Your pie is scrumptious looking! I would love a piece of that : )
    Thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  37. How yummy! And it's going to be a wonderful holiday season with all of the inspiration! I'm putting your blog in my blog list....don't know why it isn't there already! Sweet hugs!

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  38. Yum ...I used to make graham cracker crust pies all the time...easy and family loved them...whatever filling! Maybe time to try again. I'm kinda lazy on dessert cooking these days, with just two of us.

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  39. I just copied the recipe and know my husband will appreciate it ! Thank-you.

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  40. Poppy, Your pie looks fantastic and I'd love a slice with a nice cup of tea.

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  41. It's a lovely pie, Poppy! Thanks for sharing the recipe at my HOME and enjoy your weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  42. Coconut cream pie is one of my absolute favorites! Sounds amazing!

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  43. There is nothing like a fresh, cream pie from scratch Poppy! Thank you for sharing your version of coconut cream pie with us! It looks delicious!

    P.S. You mention you have a student, what do you teach?

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!