Recipe: Coconut Cream Pie

Helen Wride's Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients:
7 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups milk
4 eggs, well beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup lightly toasted coconut
Heavy whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks, then whip in sugar to taste


Directions:
Bake a pie shell according to your favorite recipe (or package instructions). Let cool.

For pie filling, combine cornstarch, sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir well and set aside. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and set aside. Add milk to a medium saucepan. When milk just comes to a boil, gradually whisk in the dry ingredients. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Temper the eggs by whisking a little of the milk mixture into the eggs, then whisk the egg mixture into the remaining milk mixture in the saucepan and cook about 1 more minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir well. Cool pudding mixture to room temperature then fold in coconut. Pour into pre-cooked pie shell and top with whipped cream. Chill. Makes enough filling for two 9-inch pies.

Cooks Note: If this recipe resembles Helen's Banana Cream Pie, that's because she uses the same vanilla pudding base. Helen always made her own pie filling (actually a thick vanilla pudding) but you can make vanilla pie filling from a box, stir in the coconut, and top with whipped cream. The great banana or coconut flavor comes from the bananas or coconut. Don't you agree, Helen made wonderful pies?

Recipe: Banana Cream Pie

Helen Wride's Banana Cream Pie

Ingredients:
7 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups milk
4 eggs, well beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla
about 6 bananas, cut up
Heavy whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks, then whip in sugar to taste


Directions:
Bake a pie shell according to your favorite recipe (or package instructions). Let cool.

For pie filling, combine cornstarch, sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir well and set aside. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and set aside. Add milk to a medium saucepan. When milk just comes to a boil, gradually whisk in the dry ingredients. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Temper the eggs by whisking a little of the milk mixture into the eggs, then whisk the egg mixture into the remaining milk mixture in the saucepan and cook about 1 more minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir well. Cool pudding mixture to room temperature then fold in bananas. Pour into pre-cooked pie shell and top with whipped cream. Chill. Makes enough filling for two 9-inch pies.

Cooks Note: Helen always made her own pie filling (actually a thick vanilla pudding) but you can make vanilla pudding from a box, stir in the bananas, and top with whipped cream. When she taught me how to make her banana cream pie, I was surprised to learn that she uses vanilla pudding (no banana flavoring). The great banana taste comes from the bananas themselves. Makes a wonderful pie.