What if you combined pecan pie with an Almond Joy, without the almond, of course? Just think about that for a moment...toasted pecans, chewy coconut, rich filling...in a light and flakey crust...okay, snap out of it - and TRY to tell me that won't cure what ails you! I came across this recipe on the Good Morning America website - via Alton Brown - that crazy "scientist of food" who always tells us more than we want to know, am I right? Seriously, what do I care at what temperature marshmallow fluff freezes?!? This is from Alton's book, Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run from the show of the same name where Alton rode his motorcycle from New Orleans to Minnesota, up the first "highway," the Mississippi River. He stopped at Ray's Dairy Made in Burton, Arkansas and had a piece of this pie, begged for the recipe, put it in his book, went on GMA and they put it on their website and now I'm regurgitating it for you...because it's THAT good!
This couldn't be easier to make either - you'll dirty ONE bowl and a spoon - almost unheard of in my kitchen! The only hard thing about making this pie is waiting the 45 minutes after it's done baking to cut into it...which I didn't do as I'm not a fan of torture. We dug in after about 10...and it was amazing...a definite 5 danger! However, after 45 minutes the pie is still a bit warm, so any ice cream placed next to it will slowly melt, and the pie itself is a bit more "jelled"...much like my bottom half after eating it! Alton's Food Network show is called Good Eats ...and this is about as good as it gets!
My pie plate was a gift from my mom - she made it! Well, she etched my name and an apple on the bottom of the plate - so now when I leave it somewhere it's always returned! Thanks Mom - I love it!
Pecan-Coconut Pie - Adapted From Alton Brown, Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run, courtesy of Ray's Dairy Made, Burton, Arkansas
10 1/2 oz. granulated sugar
3 large whole eggs
2 oz. unsalted butter, melted
4 oz. buttermilk
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 oz. sweetened coconut flakes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 pie crust (pre-baked)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, stirring well. Pour mixture into a baked and cooled 9-inch pie crust. Bake for 45 minutes or until the pie is golden brown and the center is barely set. Let cool for 45 minutes before serving. (IF I had waited the 45 minutes before cutting into the pie, it would have looked MUCH prettier...but in this case, looks didn't matter!) Serves 6 to 8.
"These are only hints and guesses, hints followed by guesses, and the rest is prayer, observance, discipline, thought and action." ~ T.S. Eliot
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One year ago today: Lemon Pound Cake
