Mom's Cream Pie

1/2 cup flour -- plus 1 tablespoon
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups Milk
3 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons butter

Mix flour, sugar and salt together. Add the milk and cook until thick, stirring constantly so it won't stick. Add small amount of hot mixture to the egg yolks. Stir into remaining hot mixture. Cook for 2 more minutes and then remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Pout into pre-cooked pastry shell and top with meringue.

NOTE: I always make this in the microwave. Stir with a wire whip after every 2 minutes until thickened (usually takes 8 minutes). Add some egg yolk to hot mixture and then slowly add the remaining. I then microwave it for 1 more minute. Take from microwave and add vanilla and butter. You can add coconut, bananas, pineapple to this basic cream pie recipe.