Monday, November 25, 2013

.momma's apple pie.

 
 
There's nothing better than someone coming up and saying my apple pie is the best dang pie they've ever had.  Or when they say it reminds them of their mother's pie "God rest her soul".  I mentioned earlier that I've been selling pies at my local farmers market.  Market days were 2x/week and it was an insane summer for me.  Needless to say, it's taken me years to perfect my pie recipes and this one, I am so proud to take anywhere I go and it's always welcomed with open arms (and mouths). :)
 
Your standard apple pie is apple, cinnamon, and sugar.  I add more to my pie to give it a little more flavor.  Here's what you'll need. 
 
PIE CRUST:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup regular Crisco
ice water
 
Mix together your flour and salt in a bowl.  Add the Crisco and cut in using a pastry blender.  Mix until you've got a nice crumbly mixture.  Add some water, a little at a time, and use a fork to "fluff" the dough.  Keep adding some water until the dough starts pulling together.  When it's no longer dry but not overly wet, you're ready.  Now at this point you can form the dough into a ball, press into a disc shape and then wrap with saran and chill for about an hour. 
 
Put some flour on your counter and place half the dough on top and sprinkle again on top.  Return the other half to the fridge. Roll until you have a large enough circle to line the bottom of your pie plate.  Trim the edges and put the pie plate in the fridge while we make the filling.
 
FILLING:
1 lb granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
a small sprinkle of cloves, ground ginger, and nutmeg
squirt of lemon juice
 
Mix all filling ingredients together and spoon into your prepared pie crust.  *NOTE:  Don't let the filling sit too long because the sugar will make your apples macerate and you'll wind up with a lot of liquid.
 
Roll out the other half of your pie crust and place on top.  Trim the edges, tuck under and crimp.  Use a knife to make some vent holes on top and then brush with some egg wash (1 cracked egg and a little milk) and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Place in a 350* and bake for about an hour or until the juices start bubbling out of the vent holes.
 
 
If you've never made an apple pie before, don't be afraid!  And don't be afraid to make your own pie crust!  You can do it!

1 comment:

Natalie said...

Oh, you're a gem to share this. I'm thinking while others are killing themselves at the mall this weekend I just might settle back and fill the kitchen with some soul-nurturing appley goodness. Thank you, Suzanne!