Apple Pie

You may or may not remember me mentioning that I made Dear Husband apple pie for his birthday.  He prefers pie over cake when it comes to desserts and who am I to argue with the birthday boy.  Pie he shall have.

I started out by making the pie crust from Pioneer Woman’s cookbook.  I’m not going to go through those steps.  You can do that yourself, here.  One thing I will say is I have no idea how she, or people in general for that matter, get homemade pie crusts to look so pretty when they are rolling it out.  Mine did not look pretty but it got the job done.  I guess that’s why she’s the professional with a cookbook and a cooking show soon to air on Food Network and I…do not.

Anyhoo – When it comes to basics like apple pie I turn to my trusted Joy of Cooking cookbook.  “When in doubt, Joy of Cooking will help you out”.  That’s their catch phrase, don’t believe me?  Go get yours off the shelf and see for yourself.

Again, anyhoo – Here is what you need:

Preheat oven to 425

Pastry Dough

2 1/2 pounds apples; peeled, cored and sliced – should measure about 6 cups

Combine apples with:

3/4 cups sugar

2 to 3 Tbs. flour

1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

zest from half a lemon

1/4 golden raisons

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

I could eat it all up just like this

Mix well, set that aside, roll out your dough, get it into the pie plate then fill-er-up.

Before covering with the top with the second crust cut up 2 Tbs. of butter into little pieces and place all over apples.  Cover with pastry and do your best to crimp the edges and make it nice n’ purdy.

Poke the top with a fork several times or cut little steam vents.  Sprinkle the top of the pie w/ a mixture of 2 tsp. sugar and about 1/8 tsp. cinnamon.

Place pie on a baking sheet and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.  I recommend covering the edge of the pie with foil or one of those round things that is made to keep the edge of the crust from getting too brown.  After 30 minutes reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30 to 45 minutes more.  Allow to cool completely before serving.

I love apple pie.  It’s just so…american.

P.S. Did I make you get out your copy of Joy of Cooking to see if they really have a catch phase?  Made you look!