Chaos, Coconut and Connotations

Coconut is my favorite cupcake flavor, my choice companion to curry and a phrase used often as a term of endearment-- ("You are a coconut" = you make me smile and I think you are slightly crazy in a me-kind-of-way).  Sometimes it can have a negative connotation-- ("She is a coconut"= She is a nut, a crazy person in a rotten-kind-of coconut way).  Most recently it has even been repurposed as my nickname by one certain gentleman in my life (I am hopeful his association refers to the first use of the word but with my sometimes challenging behavior, one can never tell).  


Today, coconut came in form a daydream after reading a food blog entry.  An entry that made me want to leave my desk and head straight to the kitchen.  An entry that made me wonder if my cooking skills were up for a challenge of a tart laced with my favorite ingredient.


Just in case my chaos keeps me away from this creation, I wanted to share as soon as possible.


Straight from one of my favorite DC Food Blogs, www.metrocurean.com  

Coconut Dream Tart written by Amanda on 12/06/2010 Photos courtesy of onceuponachef.com By Jennifer Segal Metrocurean contributor, Once Upon a Chef This recipe came about when I decided to recreate one of my husband’s favorite desserts: the signature Coconut Cream Pie from  The Capital Grille (which if you haven’t tried, you are missing out on one of life’s greatest gastronomic pleasures). The folks over at Capital Grille were nice enough to share a few secrets with me so I was able to come up with something very close to theirs: a coconut-scented cookie crust filled with a creamy coconut custard, all covered in a pillow of whipped cream and heaps of toasted coconut. It’s heaven! Coconut Dream Tart Inspired by the Coconut Cream Pie at The Capital Grille (crust adapted from Gourmet) makes one 10-inch pie, serves 8-10 for crust 7½  oz shortbread cookies such as Walker's Pure Butter Shortbread, finely ground (if you don't have a baking scale, it's 11 Walker's rectangular cookies...you'll need 2 boxes) 1¼ cups loosely packed sweetened flaked coconut ½ stick (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted for custard 2 large eggs 2 large egg yolks ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, packed 2 tablespoons corn starch, packed pinch salt 1½ tablespoons Malibu Rum* 5 tablespoons cream of coconut (stir well before using) 1 cup coconut milk (stir well before using) 1 cup whole milk 3 tablespoons unsalted butter for whipped cream and topping 1 cup heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon Malibu Rum* ¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes**, toasted in a skillet until golden and cooled *Malibu Rum is a rum made with coconut extract. **Unsweetened coconut flakes can be hard to find. In the DC area, you can get them at MOMs Organic Market (look for the Let's Do...Organic brand). If you can't find them, feel free to substitute ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut (the stuff in the blue bag available everywhere). to make the crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350 degrees. Pulse cookie crumbs, coconut, and melted butter in a food processor until coconut is finely ground. Using a ½ cup dry measuring cup, press crumbs firmly and evenly into bottom and up sides of 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake until golden, about 15-18 minutes, then cool completely in pan on a rack (you can speed this up in the fridge or freezer). If it shrinks or cracks a bit, simply press it back together and up the sides while it's still hot. to make the filling: Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. Combine Malibu rum, cream of coconut, coconut milk and whole milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn off heat. Whisking constantly, slowly ladle about a cup of hot milk mixture into egg mixture; whisk well to combine. Whisking constantly, gradually add remaining milk mixture to egg mixture in 3 or 4 additions; whisk well to combine. Return mixture to sauce pan. Over medium-high heat, cook, whisking constantly, until mixture reaches a boil and thickens, about 2 minutes. Filling must boil for at least 30 seconds in order to fully thicken. Off heat, whisk in butter until fully incorporated. Pour hot filling into cooled pie shell and smooth surface with spatula; press plastic wrap directly against surface of filling and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 10 hours. for the whipped cream: Up to 3 hours before serving, beat cream, sugar and Malibu Rum with electric mixer until soft peaks form, about 1½ - 2 minutes. Top tart with whipped cream and sprinkle with cooled toasted coconut. to serve: Carefully remove the rim from the pan by gently pressing upwards on the bottom while holding the rim in place. Cut into wedges, wiping your knife clean between slices, and serve cold. Tart (without whipped cream topping) can be chilled up to 10 hours (the crust will begin to soften if chilled too much longer). Tart can be topped with whipped cream 3 hours ahead and chilled.