posts may contain Amazon affiliate links, which earn me a small commission when you buy (but doesn't cost you anything extra). Occasionally I receive free products and/or run sponsored posts—this will always be stated clearly in the post. Thank you for supporting this blog.

This website contains some quotations, excerpts, and screen clips from copyrighted material. These uses fall well within the copyright doctrine of "Fair Use".
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

My Favorite Coconut Tart

Okay, the second thing I made in my new kitchen was my absolute favorite coconut tart. Don't worry, I'm not going to count down everything I make in the new kitchen...just sort of came out. But, back to the best coconut tart EVER. I found this in one of Rick Bayless's cookbooks years ago and never looked back. That actually doesn't make any sense...I suppose I should say I kept looking back...and back...and back! If you haven't heard me say it before, I'll say it again- Rick Bayless is a genius. He is one of my absolute favorite chefs. I want to hang out with him. Has anyone seen the movie Saving Silverman? First of all, it's hilarious...but the part I'm talking about is when Jack Black says "I wanna party with you!" I have several people I feel this way about...Rick is one of them.

This is actually called a pie, but since it's made in a tart pan, I always call it a tart. I only make this once a year. That's probably because it's so labor-intensive. It's not hard...just takes time is all. It has freshly shredded coconut and homemade, yup HOMEMADE sweetened, condensed COCONUT milk! It's to die for. This will not work with the pre-shredded coconut you buy in the little bags in the store. It won't. Really. I think the love put into making it may be a big part of what makes it so delicious...

Yucatan-Style Fresh Coconut Pie
Pay de Coco, Estile Yucateco
recipe by Rick Bayless from Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen

FOR THE CRUST:
1 c. (4 oz) slivered almonds
3 Tbs. sugar
4 oz firm white bread, torn into pieces
3 1/2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE PIE:
1 medium-size coconut w/ lots of liquid inside
1 c. heavy cream
2/3 c. sugar
3 large egg yolks
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
thick cream, creme fraiche or thinned sour cream for serving

Turn oven to 325 degrees F. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet in the in the oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 7-10 minutes. Cool; set 1/2 cup of the almonds aside.
In a food processor, pulverize the remaining almonds with the sugar. Add the bread and pulse until reduced to fine crumbs. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse to mix thoroughly. Evenly pat the mixture over the bottom and sides of a 3/4" deep, 9" tart pan w/ removable bottom. Refrigerate several minutes to set.
Twist a corkscrew (or use an ice pick or screwdriver) into 2 of the coconut's "eyes", then drain the liquid into a cup. Strain if it contains any shell bits.


Place the coconut on a baking sheet and put into the oven for about 15 minutes to help loosen the flesh from the shell. Sometimes I leave it up to 10 minutes longer...helps to release meat from shell and doesn't hurt it. With a hammer, crack coconut into several pieces, then use a small knife or screwdriver to peel away the dark brown skin from the shell. Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to peel away the dark brown skin.
In a food processor (or hand-grater) grate the coconut into medium-fine shreds. Measure out 2 1/2 c. for the pie. You can toast the remainder and use it for garnish I usually don't...lazy? sometimes I do..

Raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. In a small saucepan, combine the coconut water, cream and sugar. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until reduced to 1 cup, 10 - 15 minutes.

Pour into a large bowl, then sir in the 2 1/2 cups of coconut, the reserved 1/2 cup of almonds, the egg yolks and the vanilla.

Set the prepared crust onto a baking sheet, scoop in the coconut filling and bake in the middle of the oven until set and lightly browned on top, 30-35 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack. Transfer to serving plate.
It is easiest to cut the pie when cool. Like Rick, I prefer it served warm, though. If you want it warmed up, place a slice in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes to warm up.
This pie/tart is awesome served just like this...but even more awesome with a dollop of creme fraiche or table cream (unsweetened).
This pie can be made several days ahead. Rick says to wrap it in plastic & refrigerate until use.

Would you like to comment?

  1. TOTALLY OVER THE TOP!! My goodness this looks delicous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great recipe, Heather! I can't wait to try it. Love coconut!

    ReplyDelete
  3. We haven't tried opening a coconut since we lived in the islands where we had lots and lots of coconut palms. You were brave to open it in your new kitchen. The Bahamians drink the coconut water with gin for one of their favorite drinks.
    Your tart looks wonderful. I like that you made a tart rather than a pie.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  4. YOU are so my hero for using fresh coconut in this tart. I love this, I have not worked with fresh coconut before, you make it sound so simple..

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are my hero. This looks absolutely wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow what a lot of work for a tart but dang that looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing! This tart looks luscious! Absolutely luscious and worth all that work!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OK, even mentioning HOMEMADE sweetened condensed milk to me is DANGEROUS! This looks totally wicked, man!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so impressed that you did this all from scratch! You rock.

    ReplyDelete
  10. wow...that's really making it from scratch. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  11. cracking a fresh coconut! i'm impressed :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Coconut pie from scratch!! Your so awesome! I bet this is just too delicious to fully describe!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is like a giant, luscious coconut macaroon! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love coconut and this looks perfect! Very impressive that you used the fresh coconut too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my gosh, that looks soo good!! Good, good good!

    ReplyDelete