COCONUT PIE FILLING RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in lard until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight., Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice., Bake 11-13 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned. Remove foil and weights; bake 6-8 minutes longer or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°., In a microwave, melt chocolates in a large bowl; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in milk, egg yolks and vanilla; stir in pecans. Pour into crust. Bake 16-19 minutes or until set. Cool 1 hour on a wire rack., Meanwhile, in a small heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat., In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Cook 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens and a thermometer reads 160°, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and vanilla; cool 10 minutes., Pour over filling; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 4 hours or until cold.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg yolk and 1/2 cup cold water; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour., Divide dough in half. Roll out each portion to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Place in plates; trim pastry even with edge. With a small round fluted cutter, cut small circles out of dough scraps. Beat egg white with remaining water; brush over edges of pastry. Arrange dough cutouts around edge., Line unpricked pastry shells with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks., For filling, in a large saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; gently stir in coconut and extracts. Pour filling into pastry shells., For meringue, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until clear. , In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Pour hot sugar mixture in a small stream into egg whites, beating constantly until stiff peaks form., Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving., Sprinkle with toasted coconut before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.