You Can't Resist It

Karen's Lyle Lovett Coconut Cream Pie 

3/4 c sugar

1/4 c plus 2 t cornstarch

1/8 t salt

3 egg yolks, beaten

3 c milk

1 1/2 T butter

1 1/2 t vanilla extract

3/4 c flaked sweetened coconut

1 baked 9" pastry shell...  use your own recipe - I like Betty Crocker's - or buy pre-made :(

1 c whipping cream

1/3 c sifted powdered sugar

1/3 c flaked sweetened coconut, toasted

Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; stir well.  Combine egg yolks and milk; gradually stir into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil three minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in butter, vanilla, and 3/4 c coconut.

Immediately pour filling into pastry shell, Cover filling with plastic wrap. Cool thirty minutes then chill until firm.

Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream over filling, sprinkgle with 1/3 c coconut. Chill. Serves 8.

* Karen, a friend who used to work at the high school with me, made this pie for Lyle Lovett and gave it to him through her cousin, a friend of his. He said it was the best he'd ever had, thus the name. He wrote a song, "You Can't Resist It," unrelated to the pie, but applicable, nonetheless.

What's your favorite recipe?