Apple Pie

Apple Pie Recipe

Of all the American dishes, apple pie (in my opinion) gives me the loving comfort of home.  The flaky but yet still soft crust, the sweet-bitter apples, the delicious...Oh I better stop.  My mouth is watering.  I think after I post this I just may need to go make one.  While I do, you can read over the recipe.  I bet you will want to make one soon, too.

     Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup butter or margarine
• 8-10 Tbsp ice, cold water 
• 2 lbs sliced apples
• 6 Tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
• very fine slices of butter

1. Place the flour in a large bowl and cut the margarine into it with a pastry cutter till it resembles bread crumbs.
2. Add the water 2 Tbsps at a time, mixing with a knife until the mixture just begins to hold together.
3. Using your hands, gather the mixture together in a ball beside the bowl.
4. Wrap the pastry dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Put dough on a floured surface and cut in half.  
6. Flatten one half into a circle large enough to set in a pie dish with edges hanging over. *It is easier to put dough in pie dish by folding in half and then in half again--like a wedge--then unfold once it is resting in the pie dish.
7. Preheat oven to 425.
8. Toss apple slices, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
9. Dump apple mixture into the dough lined pie dish and top with slices of butter.
10. Roll out the other half of the dough the same as the first.
11. Place on top of apple mixture, pressing edges to close the dough.
12. Using a knife, cut excess dough from around the pie dish.
13. Flute the edges with your fingers to give a pretty appearance.
14. Cut a 1/2 inch steam hole in the center.
15. Use left over trimmings to make decorative shapes and arrange on top of the pie, leaving the steam hole open.
16. Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 and bake for 30-35 minutes.  
17. Enjoy!