Thursday, November 10, 2011

For Those Who (Unbelievably) Don't Like Pumpkin Pie




Odd as it may seem, there are some people who do not care for pumpkin pie. I say, "GOOD, More For Me!" But if you are feeling a wee bit more charitable than that, apple pie is a great option - and, living here in the Pacific Northwest, there is no shortage of apple choices! I have never seen so many varieties - some heirloom, some recent types. As long as you ask your produce person or farmer which apples are best suited for baking into pies, you cannot go wrong. In my experience, good apples need very little messing about with - good fruit, good crust, and you've pretty much guaranteed yourself a winner. If you'd like an easy, almost fool-proof way to make a great apple pie, here's an idea. I also think toppings are great. Some of my favorites are a good sharp Cheddar, slightly melted on top of warm pie (I have indulged in this many times for breakfast). I also like lightly whipped cream, flavored with a little Pink Slip Jam (a great one would be 'Wear Your Red Dress' - the currants pair nicely with cream & apples). Creme Fraiche is an elegant choice, and if you have kids around, it's a no-brainer that ice cream is a must! One year I paired apple pie with cardamom ice cream to rave reviews!  Whichever you choose, I strongly advocate for getting the best, organic apples possible. It does make a difference. If you have a special recipe, please leave a comment!


Ingredients

  • 6 cups thinly sliced apples
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie

Directions

  1. Prepare your pastry for a two crust pie. Wipe, quarter, core, peel, and slice apples; measure to 6 cups.
  2. Combine sugar and cinnamon. The amount of sugar used depends on how tart your apples are.
  3. Arrange apples in layers in pastry lined pie plate. Sprinkle each layer with sugar and cinnamon. Dot top layer with small pieces of butter or margarine. Cover with top crust.
  4. Place on lowest rack in oven preheated to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes longer. Serve warm or cold.
  5. ENJOY! Fall asleep by the fire!

1 comment:

  1. Unbelievably, the person to whom I am referring is my sister. Name a holiday (other than ham on Easter) & she dislikes the food. How can we possibly be related?!

    ReplyDelete