COCONUT TARTS
May 14, 2012 in Cakes
Shopping for Mother’s day was a frantic rush as usual in the crowded stores as I searched for the correct size and colours of clothing that will appeal to my mum. Luscious Lynn and Lovely Linda had made plans to take me to a spa for Mother’s day and I wanted to give my mum her gifts a day earlier as I was not sure of what time we would be returning from the spa. She smiles when she opens her gifts and says that I always know what to buy for her – and I grin pleased that she is happy. When it is time to say goodbye – I turned to
give her one last wave and smile – and she says to us that she will be home on
Monday. It’s a memory that will always remain with me as it was the last time I had spoken to my mum – she had a stroke the next day from which she did not recover – seven years today – seems like yesterday. Mother’s day brings poignant memories for me and I avoid the shops over that period – it’s a reminder of the void in my life.
My mum, Doris, in her youth
Doris as her grandchildren know her.
As a child I remember Fridays being special – my Dad would come home with treats which always included coconut tarts and macaroons which was my mum’s favorite. It’s the first time that I have made these in the last seven years. It’s an old recipe from the Housewives’ League cookery book and my mum always enjoyed these.
The recipe below makes 2 tart crusts and I am posting recipes for 2 different coconut fillings.
The pictures below are of filling (1) – the filling is much thinner.
Picture of Filling (2) – which is more like a macaroon.
CRUST
60g margarine
60g sugar
4 teaspoon sunflower oil
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
Cream margarine and sugar well. Add oil and beat well.
Add the egg. Fold in sifted flour and baking powder. Mix
into a soft pliable dough.
Press into greased pie / tart pans. I prick holes into the pastry with a fork to
ensure a fully cooked pastry.
Spread the base of the tart with a generous layer of apricot
jam.
Then add the coconut mixture.
Bake at 180 C until light brown approximately 30 minutes.
FILLING (1)
½ cup sugar
1 Tablespoon butter
1 egg
1 ¼ cup desiccated coconut
Cream sugar and butter. Add egg and beat well.
Add coconut and mix well.
Spread the filling over the jam covered tart base.
Bake until light brown. The filling is sufficient for 1
tart.
FILLING (2)
2 cups desiccated coconut
1 beaten egg
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
1 cup sugar
Mix all the ingredients together and spoon over the jam
covered tart base.
Bake until light brown. The filling is sufficient for 1 tart.
Sous Chef said on May 14, 2012
Bittersweet memories indeed, but a lovely tribute to your Mum.
Both fillings sound and look delicious.
mitzireddy said on May 16, 2012
Thanks, Sue
Healthy Vegetarian Foods By Usha Singh said on May 14, 2012
Hi Mitzi, what a wonderful tribute & the recipes look fantastic
mitzireddy said on May 16, 2012
Thanks, Usha .
Flee said on May 15, 2012
Shew, With tears in my eyes I thank you for such a lovely dedication to your mother. I have now sat and thought about all the little treats and cakes my mum would bake, and how i miss them all, and now have a sudden urge to go home and start cooking, …. thank you
mitzireddy said on May 16, 2012
Thanks for the visit and kind words, Flee.
rumtumtigger said on May 16, 2012
Such a lovely post. And those recipes certainly brought back some childhood memories. Long before Macarons where in fashion, coconut macaroons were the weekend treat with large cherries on top. Thanks for sharing your recipe
mitzireddy said on May 16, 2012
Thanks, RT – the coconut macaroons are so much easier to make than the fabulous looking macarons which are the current hype.
Enjoy the rest of the week.
dawn Pather said on May 16, 2012
WOW,This does take me back in her morning market days. where I would go with her to help out. after which we would go to do shopping, and she would buys these coconut tarts. these are now my favourits.
thats lovely pictures of mum.
mitzireddy said on May 16, 2012
Seems like yesterday, Dawn. Thanks for the visit.
Joe said on May 18, 2012
Hi Mitzi, thanks for remembering and bringing back old memories.
We were fortunate to have had great parents. Those coconut cakes that i called them were and still is my favourite.
I like the photo of mum when she was young.
mitzireddy said on May 18, 2012
Memory lane – she looks good – the second pic – its you standing behind her. Enjoy the weekend, Joe.
pinkpolkadot said on May 18, 2012
I still miss my Mum, especially on days such as Mother’s day, and she passed away 11 years ago,
I love the cococnut tarts – hubs love coconut and I am sure he will enjoy this!
mitzireddy said on May 18, 2012
Mum’s always regard us as kids and tend to spoil us – having to be an adult all the time sucks.