FOR SHELLS
     2    Recipes Pastry Dough for a
          -double-crust
          ; 9- to 10-inch pie
          Raw rice or pie weights for
          -weighing
          ; shells
-FOR CUSTARD-
   2/3 c  Sugar
 2 1/2 tb Cornstarch
   1/4 ts Salt
 2 1/4 c  Milk
     2    Whole large eggs
     2 lg Egg yolks
     1 ts Vanilla
     2 tb Unsalted butter; cut into
          -bits
 1 1/2 c  Sweetened flaked coconut;
          -toasted golden and
          ; cooled
 1 1/2 c  Well-chilled heavy cream
   1/3 c  Sugar
Make shells:
 On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out half
 of dough into a 14-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick, and cut out four
 7-inch rounds. Fit rounds into four 4-inch tart pans with removable
 fluted rims. Roll rolling pin over dough to trim and press dough
 lightly to extend it slightly above edges of pans. Make 4 more shells
 in same manner with remaining dough. Prick shells with a fork and
 chill, covered, on a baking sheet 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400F.
 Line shells with wax paper and weight them with rice or pie weights.
 Bake shells on baking sheet in middle of oven for 10 minutes. Remove
 paper and rice carefully and bake shell until pale golden, about 5
 minutes more. Cool shells in pans on a rack. Shells may be made 1 day
 ahead and kept in airtight containers at room temperature.
Make custard:
 In a heavy saucepan stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add
 milk gradually, stirring, and bring to a boil, whisking. In a bowl
 whisk together whole eggs and egg yolks. Gradually whisk about 1 cup
 hot milk mixture into eggs and whisk egg mixture into milk mixture.
 Simmer custard, whisking, 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and whisk
 in vanilla and butter until butter is melted. Chill custard, its
 surface covered with plastic wrap, until cold.
Stir 1 cup coconut into custard and divide among pastry shells.
 In a bowl beat cream until it holds soft peaks. Gradually beat in
 sugar and beat cream until it just holds stiff peaks. Divide whipped
 cream among tartlets and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup
 coconut over tartlets.
Makes 8 tartlets.
                 
                 Yields       
                1 servings                
