Saturday 22 January 2011

My apple pie.

On Sunday, all over the US, people will be celebrating National Pie Day.
I’m joining JoJo’s Pie party with our family favourite - apple pie.
JoJo has asked that we share our pastry/pie crust recipes, here’s  mine:
8oz plain flour; 2oz butter; 2oz white fat (Trex or Crisco); a pinch of salt & cold water to mix as needed.
Sift the salt and flour into a bowl then tip it all into your food processor, add the fats and blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of really cold water to bring it all together.
Turn out onto a floured pastry board and with your hands form the dough into a smooth ball.
Wrap the dough in cling film (Saran wrap) and refrigerate for about 25 minutes.
To make a deep dish fruit pie, divide the dough roughly into 2 parts. On a floured board  roll out one half to fit the pie dish with a slight overlap, add pie filling,  roll out remaining dough and cover the dish.
Crimp the edges together, roll out remaining pastry bits and press out shapes with pastry cutters or cut into strips, to create leaves, which is what my Nana & Mum always did. With a sharp knife make several cuts in the pastry lid to let out the steam.
Brush the entire lid with milk and sprinkle caster sugar over to ensure a crispy surface when baked.
Bake for 30 minutes at 200c or 400F.

For a tasty filling I always use 6 granny smith apples, (peeled, cored and finely sliced), 2 oz each of golden caster & soft brown sugars, & a pinch of cinnamon.
Confused about English Imperial/Metric/US equivalent measurements?
Click here for comprehensive conversion tables.
To quote Miss Jane Austen:
“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.”

P.S.
I had planned on using these wonderful Williams Sonoma pastry cutters that my dear friend Sarah @ Hyacinths For The Soul sent to me recently but as I wanted to show you our family’s traditional apple pie, will save them for another time.

23 comments:

  1. Jane Austen was right! Can't beat an apple pie.

    How's the weather over there?

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  2. What a beautiful pie Maggie! I'm lovin' the little rosette in the middle! I just started adding half butter to my crust instead of all shortening, I really like it:@)

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  3. National Pie Day??? Never heard of that before but sounds like a good idea to me.
    My favorite pie crust recipe is the premade one I buy at that store because no matter how hard I try I make terrible pie crust. I have tried every method and every recipe to no avail. I know when I am beat.

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  4. National Pie Day when we are all on January diets ? Too, too cruel ! :-( :-(

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  5. Nice apple pie - after nearly 20 years in Normandy myself, I've got used to the ubiquitous apple tart with no top, but I think I'll have to go back to a proper pie now.
    Where are you? I'm in Manche.
    ViV

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  6. Your apple pie looks delicious! I like the dusting of sugar on the crust and your pretty design.

    Thanks for the conversion chart link ..I'm going to put that in my favorites.

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  7. Maggie, this looks gorgeous and delicious. You don't need any cutesy cutters with skill like this. ;-)
    Wish I were there to enjoy a slice along with a hot cup of tea. I always considered eating apple pie a healthy thing. LOL Thanks for sharing the recipe and the conversion chart. Enjoy! ~ Sarah

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  8. Wow, this looks gorgeous. I'm going to try this recipe, I'm sure the family will love it.

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  9. Maggie, Thank you for linking up to the Pie Party! I just showed your pie to my husband and his comment, "Mmmmm, I really hungry now." Your pie top is beautiful!

    I'll be getting my pie and recipe posted shortly. Can't wait to try all of these new recipes!!

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  10. Maggie, this looks delicious. You wear so many hats my dear lady. Just as some of your other readers, I didn't know it was National Pie Day but pies are among my favorite desserts. Thanks for sharing with us, now I have your pie crust to try, along with Sarah's. YUM!!!!

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  11. Ok Hello, I am so hungry now, that looked divine!

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  12. Looks absolutely stunning and delicious, Maggie.
    So tempting, though I haven't made a pie of any description for quite a while.
    Hugs, Jan

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  13. I just heard of National Pie Day today. I wish I had known sooner but I have no excuse for not making a pie every now and then. I am trying to perfect my apple pie and I am going to try your crust and filling. Your pie looks delicious Maggie!

    XO,
    Jane

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  14. Now that's a great looking apple pie...your crust is perfect...
    I love Normandy...we visited there a number of years ago...After the husband did the whole D-Day beach tour I convinced him I needed to find that town that is famous for the copper pots...Never did find it...but we had the best meal at a little roadside resturant...They were getting ready to close but they stayed open just for us and I had a meal that I will never forget...the best Osso Bucco ever.......You are very lucky to be living in such a wonderful place...Sue@Rue-Mouffetard

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  15. I love apple pie and your beauty certainly looks like a scrumptious version Maggie! I think I'll try your recipe tomorrow, have some fresh Grannie Smiths - I just want to sit down with a slice of goodness!!!

    Hugs -Mary

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  16. Maggie, I'm so happy to have found your blog! Such a delightful place to visit. I loved your post about the Wind in the Willows -- makes me want to dig out my copy and read it all over again.

    I have the same pastry cutters from W&S. Couldn't resist, I bought them last fall. Now, I have to learn how to make a pie:) Perhaps your recipe will help.

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  17. OMG, SO YUMMY!!! Yes apple pie is a household favorite. I didn't know about this party BUT I made apple pie yesterday and was taking pictures of them for a post...OH MY I'm LATE!!!hehe...
    Your Pie is "GORGEOUS"!!!
    Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  18. That looks delicious and so easy to make. Great recipe.Thank you Maggie

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  19. Fabulous- I love the decoration on top! Is that fire still going to eat it by? We polished off the remains of yesterday's lemon cake, but it was already a little stale!

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  20. Beautiful pie and I KNOW it tastes even better than it looks...:)
    Thanks so much for sharing..

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