Apple Pie

Are you ready for the weekend Crazies? I know I am. Getting ready for Thanksgiving slowly, mostly because I keep forgetting that it is at my house this year. I need to really get my act together and get moving! So I figured I better try some recipes on my Asylum before I made them for everyone else.
Today I wanted to share the apple pie recipe that I made this week. It got rave reviews from both my asylum and the neighbors! These recipes come from my Mennonite Cookbook. Somewhere in this post I will have a link to where you can buy it!


First you will need a crust. You can use this recipe or the tart crust recipe that Saucy shared (They are very similar just different approaches)!

Pastry
(for a 9-inch double-crust pie)
2 1/4 cups flour 2/3 shortening (Crisco, butter flavored)
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup cold water
Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut shortening into flour with a pastry blender. Do NOT over mix; these are sufficiently blended when particles are the size of peas. Add water gradually, sprinkling 1 TBSP at a time over mixture. Toss lightly with a fork until all particles of flour have been dampened. Use only enough water to hold the pastry together when it is pressed between the fingers. It should not feel wet.(Note: You may need to add more water in the winter time or when weather is dry).
Roll dough into a round ball, handling as little as possible. Roll out on a lightly floured board into a circle 1/8 inch thick and 1 inch larger than the diameter of the top of the pan.
Apple Pie
3 cups diced apples
2/3 cup sugar
1 TBSP flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg
2 TBSP rich milk (whole, 2% works just fine)
2 TBSP butter (optional, I don't use)
Pastry for two 9 inch crusts (above)
Mix apples, sugar, flour and spice together until well blended.
Place mixture in unbaked crust.
Add rich milk and dots of butter over the top.
Place strips or top crust on pie as desired.
Fasten securely at edges Bake in a hot over, 400 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
Makes 1(9 inch)pie
NOTE: I don't follow the directions (imagine that:). I put the bottom crust in and then the apples. After I have mixed the rest of the ingredients together and spread on top of the apples. Then place the second crust on top and seal the edges. I am way to lazy to do the lattice or strips, so I make sure to add vent holes into my top crust. I also add a sprinkle of sugar on top when it comes out of the oven.

Tart and Pie Dough

Wow, Thursday already.  Where does the time ago.  I started working on my Thanksgiving day menu today.  I can't believe how close it is.  And of course behind that the "C" word LOL!.  Anyway, the parents and I were out at a local farmers market the other day and dad asked if I would make a cherry pie.  I said sure because we were at an Amish store that sold jellies, jams, pickles, salsas and of course already prepared fresh fruit pie filling.  Who wouldn't want to make a pie, they have done half the work.

So then I needed a simple (especially since I don't bake well) and easy pie crust recipe.  I turned to one of my favorite books for simple recipes.  Alice Waters "The Art of Simple Food" is where I landed.  Simple and delicious and Dad was happy with his pie!  Give it try, hope it works out well for you!  See you on Saturday.

Tart and Pie Dough

Have measured:

     1/2 cup ice cold water

Mix together:

     2 cups all purpose unbleached four

     1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)

Add 12 Tablespoons (1.5 sticks) cold butter, cut into small (1/4") cubes

Cut or work the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or your fingertips, leaving some of the butter in fairly large, irregular pieces.  This will take 1 or 2 minutes.  (Or mix for no more than a minute, at medium low speed, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.)  Pour in three quarters of the water, stirring all the while with a fork until the dough begins to form clumps.  In the mixer turn the speed to low and pour the water down the sides of the bowl, mixing for 30 seconds or less.  Keep adding water if needed.  Divide the dough in two, bring each part together into a ball and wrap each ball in plastic.  Compress each ball and then flatten them into disks.  Let rest, refrigerated for 1 hour or longer.

From here do your thing and make what ever kind of pie makes your heart smile! :D