Something New – Humble Apple Pie

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eing surrounded by apple orchard after apple orchard in this part of Michigan, you’d think apple pies would almost be a main course here!  Well, I will let you in on a secret.  Until a few days ago, I had never made an apple pie from scratch.  Actually, I had never made a full pie, with a from-scratch-crust before.  Nope – never.  My mom always said pies were so hard to make that she rarely made them.  My mother-in-law makes beautiful pies – the kind that could win at every state fair if she’d enter one.  But, we were given bags full of apples.  My husband commented on how he wished he could have one of his grandmother’s apple pies.  He was having a rough day with a customer, so I told the kids, "Let’s surprise daddy and make an apple pie."  I prayed that it was not too much of a surprise – one that would turn out horrible and would make his face wince even more!  I couldn’t cheat with premade pie crusts and canned applie pie filling.  We didn’t have any.  So, we made apple pie, and though it was nothing like his mom’s, it was very eatable, and they are all asking when we are going to make it again. 

Since the Make It From Scratch challenge for next Monday  "is to make something you never have before", my apple pie qualifies!  It’s simple – nothing elaborate about this pie – and I am sure there are better ones out there.  But, it’s my first, and it put a big smile on my husband’s face . . . and my kid’s too – and yes, even me.  (Maybe I should call it Humble Apple Pie!)

Crust (it really was easy!)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 10 TB unsalted butter
• 1 whole egg – lightly beaten
• 4-5 TB cold water

Place flour and salt in bowl – cut in butter (TB sizes) until resembles a coarse meal.  Add egg and water, stiring mixture with fork to make the dough.  Add a  little more water if it’s too dry.  (I did not need to).  Divide into 2 balls – wrap each in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.  Makes two pie crusts.

 
Apple Pie

• 5 to 6 cooking apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons corn starch
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice or 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 3 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons butter
• dash of salt
• 2 pie crust (top and bottom)

Peel and slice apples. Add lemon juice and toss. Sprinkle a small amount of sugar and cinnamon in bottom of crust. Add 1 tablespoon of corn starch. Put half of apple slices in crust. Add half of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1 tablespoon corn starch, sprinkling over top of apples. Repeat layering of apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch. Apples will pile high in pie crust. Dot with butter. Top apples with second crust and seal (pinch) crusts together. Cut vents in top. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until done.   ENJOY!