You have to read that title in the tune of the White Snake song. But seriously, do you feel that chill? Thank whatever deity you want, I am just glad that it isn't so freaking hot anymore! I noticed my coconut oil was solid again today. I think it was a puddle for the entire month of August and September. In honor of fall I have decided to not bore you with a political tirade or preach about the importance of eating real food (although you should!), instead I will be posting a couple recipes (or just one).
Apple pie screams fall! My mom and I went to Noble Orchard this Saturday, if you haven't been to Noble Orchard and you live in Paradise shame on you! Well, that is a little harsh, but really you should check it out. They don't have a website but go here for some more information. Anyway, I had to have some granny smith apples. Well, they were quite tart so I made them into a pie! OMG! It was delicious, and if you don't believe me ask some of my family.
Now, baking pie is just something I do. I have been baking pie for my entire adult life, which isn't that long but still, I know how to bake some pies. You can trust me : ) I promise! Apple pie, or any pie for that matter, just isn't the same without a home baked crust. Oh, but the frozen....blah blah blah, don't bore me with your frozen crust. Seriously, homemade ones are waaaay better and nothing anyone says can convince me otherwise. Here is my recipe, I should warn you though, baking pie crusts is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang it. Stick with it! It is so worth it!
1 cup of unbleached flour
3/4 stick of butter
1 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of cold water
Only four ingredients! Sounds simple enough. Read on.
The first step is to put the flour and salt into a big mixing bowl. Mix em' up. Next the butter. You have to 'cut' the butter into the flour. To cut the butter in you have to use a fork and smash it until it mixes with the flour. It resembles a courser flour when you are done, almost like small peas. Now, make sure your butter is no warmer than room temperature! I made the mistake of thinking, oh if I nuke the butter it will be easier to cut it in. It was, but that was the only part that was easier! Trust me!
Once your butter is cut in you add your water. I throw an ice cube in mine, no not the rapper, a literal ice cube, just to make sure it is nice and cold. Then add the water slowly, not all at once, but rather bit by bit. As you add the water push the flour to one side of the bowl and then to the other side. Gather it up into a ball and turn it out onto wax paper. Make sure to add flour to your wax paper and your rolling pin. Next roll it out with the rolling pin, nice and big! It has to fit a nine inch pie dish with a little extra. To transition your crust to the pie dish simple fold it in half lightly, then lift and transfer, then unfold. Remove any extra crust from the edges with scissors and crimp the edges to make it pretty. Viola! Now, just do everything I just said again for the top crust. Don't put it in the pie dish yet through! You have to add the apples first!
The filling is super easy. Here ya go!
6 large granny smith apples (any tart apple will do) peeled and cut into thin slices (if you have more use em up! You will just have a very intense pie and it may need to bake longer)
The juice of a whole lemon
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Put the apples into a bowl and add the lemon juice. Then mix the sugar, spices, and flour in a bowl then dump it on the apples. Mix well. Throw those pups into the pie dish, dot with butter, and cover with the other pie crust. Cut some slits in the top to vent. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Decrease heat to 350 and bake for 45 minutes.
You can do an egg wash too, if you want. Just beat an egg with a little milk and brush it over the crust once the pie is assembled. Bake. It gives it a nice golden brown look!
There you have it! I hope you will try the pie crust, once you get it down it become second nature. Happy Fall everyone!
Oh, once you get this down pat, I am not responsible for the spoiling of your family. Don't come blaming me when Costco pies are no longer good enough at Thanksgiving and they want you to make like 45 homemade pies for every holiday. I have turned my family into monsters! You've been warned.
