Anis All American Apple Pie Food

ALL-AMERICAN APPLE PIE

Steps:

• For the Crust: Blend flour, sugar and salt in a food processor.
• Add butter and shortening and cut in, until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add 6 tablespoons ice water and process until clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry (I never need more than 6 tablespoons).
• Gather into ball; divide into 2 pieces.
• Flatten each into a disk. Wrap each in plastic; chill at least 2 hours. Can be made a day ahead.
• For the filling: Position oven rack in lowest rack of oven and preheat to 400°F
• Mix all of the filling ingredients except apples in large bowl. It should be very dry and clumpy -- not really a 'sauce' at all.
• Add apples and coat.
• To assemble: Flour a sheet of parchment paper; roll out 1 dough onto paper until it is a 12-inch round.
• Transfer to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish by flipping the paper over, then gently pressing so that the dough is along the bottom of the pie dish. There should be an overhang all the way around.
• Add filling.
• Roll out second dough to 13-inch round. Cut into twelve 1-inch wide strips. Arrange 6 strips across pie, leaving gaps between the filling and the lattuce along the way (that will make weaving the others easier).
• Form lattice by arranging 6 strips across the first strips, taking care as you go. If one breaks, don't worry--just tuck the break underneath!
• Gently fold over the edges onto the lattice, pressing with a fork to seal.
• Brush lattice with milk, and sprinkle lightly with additional sugar.
• Cover edges with foil and bake pie 10 minutes.
• Without opening the oven (I know, its so hard to resist!), reduce oven temperature to 375°F
• Continue baking until juices are thickened and crust is golden, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool for at least one hour before eating.

ANI'S ALL-AMERICAN APPLE PIE

Steps:

• 1. To make crust, pulse almonds and salt in food processor until nuts are in small pieces. You want your crust to have chunks of almonds in it, so don't overprocess. Use some of the finer powder to "flour" the bottom of your pie dish.
• Slowly add dates into processor in small batches to mix with almond bits. The dates will bind the almonds to form a dough. Press dough into the bottom of "floured" pie pan. Set aside (and try not to eat all your crust while you're preparing everything else!) :).
• 2. To make syrup, place orange into your blender first. Then add dates and blend. If needed, add small amounts of water to help everything mix well (I haven't "needed" this, but like to add the water to make more volume of the syrup). Set aside.
• 3. To make filling, place sliced apples in a large bowl with raisins. Toss with cinnamon and syrup. Spoon filling into pie crust.
• Will keep for two days in the fridge (I've kept it longer, but I have low standards).
• For 16 servings, per serving: calories 230, protein 5g, carbs 39g, fat 8g, sugar 21g.

ALL AMERICAN APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425* and place oven rack in lowest position.
• Place apples in large mixing bowl. Toss with vinegar. Mix together all dry ingredients and toss well into apples.
• Roll one half of pastry into a 12″ circle, and place in the bottom of a 9″ pie pan. Pour filling in, making sure filling is tightly packed and higher in the center. Drizzle 2 T cream over the apples. Roll second dough into 12″ circle and place over filling. Tuck the edges of the top crust under the bottom crust, and seal (crimp, pinch, etc.). Cut slits in top to vent steam. Bake at 425* for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with remaining heavy cream, and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Return to oven and bake an additional 20-30 minutes, until golden brown and juices are thick and bubbly. Cool 3-4 hours before cutting.
• Variations:.
• Dutch Apple Pie-omit the second crust. Crush 1 sleeve of buttery round crackers into heavy crumbs. Mix with 1/4 cup sugar and 4 T softened butter, to form crumbles. After 30 minutes baking, sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of filling and finish baking.

ALL AMERICAN APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour,cinnamon and nutmeg; mix well, add the apples and toss to coat completely.
• Line a 9" pie plate with pie crust.
• Pour the apple mixture into the pie plate.
• In a small bowl, combine the butter and vanilla and pour over the apples.
• Cover the apples with the pie crust, pressing against the pie plate to seal, and flute, if desired.
• Spray the crust with nonstick cooking spray and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.