For crust:
35 vanilla wafer cookies (about 5 ounces)
1/3 cup dry-roasted macadamia nuts (about 2 ounces)
1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1 1/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
6 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
Topping:
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Make crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely grind cookies and nuts in processor. Transfer to medium bowl. Mix in coconut. Add butter and stir until blended. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter metal or glass pie dish. Cover and freeze 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.) Bake until crust is golden, about 20 minutes. Cool completely.
Make Filling:
Spread coconut on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Place 1/4 cup milk in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over and let stand 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk sugar and cornstarch in medium saucepan to blend. Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, whisking until smooth. Add remaining 1 3/4 cups milk, egg and egg yolks, whisking to blend. Reserve 2 tablespoons toasted coconut for topping; add remaining toasted coconut, butter, vanilla and salt to egg mixture. Cook over medium heat until filling thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Immediately add gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin dissolves. Transfer to large bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of filling and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
Beat 1/2 cup cream in medium bowl to soft peaks; fold into cooled filling. Refrigerate until filling is cold and begins to set, about 30 minutes. Transfer filling to prepared crust. Refrigerate while preparing topping. for topping: Beat cream and sugar in medium bowl to firm peaks. Pipe or spoon evenly over top of filling. Sprinkle with reserved 2 tablespoons toasted coconut. Refrigerate pie at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. Serve chilled.
Source: Epicurious.com
Prepared by: Lena for the June 2001 meeting