and her Luscious Coconut Cream Pie
My beautiful Grammy Elna was an enormous influence in my life, her and Grampa's farm was a place of joy for me with cows in the fields and chickens, their eggs needing to be gathered in the morning. Then there was the apple orchard with trees to climb and pear trees as well that Grammy would pick to make sauce or pie. Grammy's kitchen was usually filled with the enticing aroma of pies for my cousins and me to devour after running wild thru the woods or playing hide and seek in the red barn. Yes, Grammy's farm was a happy place for me.
Grammy was born on a wheat farm in Sascatchewan Canada to Swedish immigrant parents in 1915. She weighed a mere two pounds at birth and the midwife told them she was too tiny to survive but her Momma was determined her precious lil daughter was going to be alright so wrapped her in a blanket and ever so gently put her in a wooden shoe box in the warming compartment of their oven that was used for raising bread, her mouth so tiny they had to use an eyedropper to feed her. Well, not only did Grammy survive she was the healthiest child you can ever imagine and lived till she was 94.
When she was three years old they moved to a tiny town on Vancouver Island called Coombs and later immigrated to NW Washington State to an area called Goshen, this is where my happy farm memories began.
Grammy was one of those people who had the rare ability to turn the most difficult of situations into something happy or give it a romantic glow. She also told the most wonderful stories and wrote beautiful poems about her childhood that were so vivid you felt as though you were right there with her, swimming in the creek or picking wildflowers in the fields. I loved all of Grammy's pies but her coconut custard was always my favorite so when I grew up and would drive to her house for coffee and a game or two of Scrabble she would more ofter than not have one ready when I came in her door.
My precious Aunty knew how much I missed Grammy after she passed away so sent me her two overflowing recipe boxes along with her cast iron Abbleskiver pan (that's a story and recipe for another day) to where we now live in the Sonoran desert so that I could feel like I had a part of Grammy with me and also so that I could work at converting her treasured recipes to gluten free so that Handsome hubby and me could enjoy them once again.
So here I sit with my favorie ones trying to decide which one to share with all of you for my first ever blog post, of course it has to be my favorite, her coconut cream pie!
Here is where I have to be perfectly honest and tell you I make a lousy pie crust. I come from a group of women, Grammy, my beautiful Mom and Aunty Cheryl who are masters at making pie crust...the kind of crust that is crispy but melts in your mouth so light and flaky. It is dissapointment to them and me that with all their coaching I've not yet mastered their skill. Therefore, this is the only photo you shall see of my pie dough skills but I will tell you that this gluten free recipe for Flaky Pie Dough from the Alternative Baker cookbook is delicious, even with my....lack of skill.
I've seen a number of recipes for coconut custard that call for mixing cornstarch with sugar but in my opinion this is where Grammy's shines, she used all purpose flour for a smooth silky texture, never gummy. For this step I used an all purpose gluten free flour from a local company called Tom Sawyer, so if you live in Arizona you should have access to this yummy flour.
Next comes the fun part, making your custard! Place your pan with the sugar and flour mixture (I just splured on my first copper pot and am in love) on the stove over mediun heat. Give your egg and milk mixture another good stir and then slowly pour it in the pan, constantly whisking. If Grammy were here this is where she would tell you "Dont't answer the phone!" because the custard will thicken up in a hurry and you'll end up with a gummy mess if your not paying attention. I used a silicone spatula here but would recommend using a whisk so you are sure to reach every curve of the pan. Let it come to a very gentle boil and once it's nice and thick, it should take just a couple minitues, take it off the heat. Now is when you'll want to add your sweetened coconut, pure vanilla extract, sweet cream butter and salt along with a dash of nutmeg.
So now it's time to put the coffee pot on and sit down to enjoy a piece of your pie and a game or two of Scrabble. I hope you have a lovely taste tester like I have to enjoy the rest of your afternoon.
Grammy Elna's Luscious Coconut Cream Pie
Prebaked and cooled gluten free pie shell (Flaky Pie Dough from The Alternative Baker Cookbook)
1 1/2 cups coconut milk (the kind in a can and if possible organic)
1 1/2 cups organic half and half
5 organic egg yolks (save the whites for an omlette)
1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour
1/2 cup organic sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
Dash of fresh grated nutmeg
Whipped Cream to follow
1. Pour your coconut milk and half and half in a bowl then whisk in the egg yolks until thoroughly combined.
2. Next your going to put your sugar and gluten free flour in a medium sauce pan and whisk together, then put on the stove over medium heat.
3. Now give your egg and milk mixture another good whisk and slowly pour it into the sauce pan with flour and sugar and whisk, whisk, whisk and don't answer your phone! Let this come to the slightest boil being sure to reach all the curves of your pan and whisk until it's all thick
and creamy, this should only take a few minutes.
4. Now it's time to take your saucepan off the stove and stir in the coconut, vanilla, butter and salt along with a lil dash of nutmeg. Pour it into your cooled pie crust and smooth it all out then cover loosly with plastic wrap and put in the fridge to cool.
5. Make your whipped cream by putting 2 cups organic heavy cream in a large bowl along with about 1/2 cup organic sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. Use an electric mixer and beat till nice and fluffy.
6. Make a pot of coffee or tea if you prefer, top your cooled pie with whipped cream and enjoy, along with a game of two of Scrabble.
