Coconut Cream Pie

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FROM - "Southern Living - 1989"
Recipe by: Nancy W. Otto
Dayton, Texas

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk
2-1/4 cups milk
3 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (3-1/2 ounce) can flaked coconut
Pastry Shell (recipe follows)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons flaked coconut, toasted

Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; gradually add milks, stirring until blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil.

Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually stir about 1/4 hot mixture into yolks; add to remaining hot mixture; stirring constantly. Cook over medium heat, continuously stirring 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and next 2 ingredients. Spoon mixture into pastry shell.

Beat egg whites (at room temperature) and cream of tartar at high speed of an electric mixer just until foamy. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and cornstarch; gradually add, 1 tablespoon at a time, to whites, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves (2 to 4 minutes). Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing to edge of pastry. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.

Makes one 9-inch pie

PASTRY SHELL

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3 tablespoons cold water

Combine flour and salt; cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, evenly over surface; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball; chill.

Roll pastry to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface Place in a 9-inch pieplate; trim off excess pastry along edges. Fold edges under and flute. Prick bottom and sides of pastry shell generously with a fork. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes one 9-inch pastry shell