White Chocolate Coconut Bark Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a pencil, draw an 8-by-10-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the parchment paper over so the pencil mark doesn't get onto the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan.
• Place the pistachios in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (Time it with your watch for accuracy.) Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. (If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)
• Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled pistachios, the cranberries, and apricots. Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate. Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes. Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH PISTACHIOS AND DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Put 9 ounces of the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until just melted. Stir in the remaining 3 ounces chocolate and let stand 3 minutes. Stir until completely smooth. If there are still some lumps, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring well after each, to melt any remaining chocolate, but take care not to heat more than necessary.
• Pour the chocolate onto the parchment and gently spread to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Sprinkle the pistachios and cranberries on top, pressing very lightly so they adhere. Sprinkle with the flaky salt.
• Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. Break into pieces and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE COCONUT DREAM

Steps:

• Crust Preparation:
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Combine shortening, flour and salt. Cut shortening into dry ingredients until pea-sized balls form. Add cold water and toss with fork until mixture holds together. Cover and chill. Roll out dough and place in 9-inch pie plate. Place parchment paper over crust and line with pie beads. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove paper and pie beads and continue to bake until crust is golden brown. Remove pie from oven and place paper and beads back in crust to keep crust from shrinking as it cools.
• Filling Preparation:
• Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in bowl. Set aside. In saucepan, place egg yolks, milk and vanilla bean (sliced lengthwise), mix well. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove vanilla bean and extract seeds, placing seeds and pod back into mixture. When mixture is hot (not boiling), sift in dry ingredients. Continue to cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and bubbles. Lower heat slightly and continue to cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and remove vanilla bean pods. Add butter and chocolate. Stir until melted. Add 1 1/2 cups coconut. Cover with plastic wrap and chill.
• White Chocolate Mousse Preparation:
• Place 3/4 cup whipping cream in saucepan. Heat until steaming (approximately 165 degrees F). Pour over white chocolate. Whisk until all chocolate is melted. Cool to approximately 130 degrees F. Place whipping cream mixture in mixing bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until cream starts to thicken. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Add a large spoonful of whipping cream to chocolate. Fold chocolate mixture into whipped cream.
• Assembly:
• Place chilled filling into baked pie shell and top with mousse. Decorate with toasted coconut. Serve.