Fancy Pie Crust Tops Food

HOW TO CREATE A LATTICE

Steps:

• On a floured work surface, roll out one of the discs of chilled dough (keep the other one in the refrigerator). Turn the dough about a quarter turn after every few rolls until you have a circle 12 inches in diameter. Carefully place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Tuck it in with your fingers, making sure it is smooth. Spoon the filling into the crust and place in the refrigerator while you work on the lattice.
• On a floured work surface, roll out the second half of pie dough into a 12-inch circle. Pie dough is easiest to work with when it's cold, so if the dough has softened too much as you work- place any rolled-out pieces on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator or freezer for a couple minutes.
• Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into strips- the width is up to you. I usually cut them 1/2-inch - 1-inch wide for a traditional lattice top. Remove the pie from the refrigerator. Lay out 6-8 parallel strips of pie dough (depending how thick you cut them) on top of the filling with about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch space between them. Fold back every other strip, then place another strip perpendicular to the strips. Unfold the folded strips over the perpendicular strip. This is the start of your woven lattice.
• Fold the parallel strips that are underneath the perpendicular strip back over the perpendicular strip. Place a 2nd perpendicular strip down. Unfold the parallel strips over the 2nd strip. Continue this process, weaving the strips over and under.
• Fold the edges of the strips back onto the pie. Crimp or flute the edges to secure the strips with the bottom pie crust.
• The next step is written out in all of my pie recipes, but a reminder is always helpful. Brush the unbaked pie crust with an egg wash, sprinkle with coarse sugar, and chill in the refrigerator as the oven preheats. Remember, keep everything cold prior to baking. Have fun!

DEEP-DISH FRITO PIE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Pulse 4 ounces (3 cups) of Fritos® in a food processor until finely ground. Remove and reserve half of the Frito® crumbs. Add the flour, egg, 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon salt to the crumbs in the food processor. Pulse until a uniform dough forms, add an additional tablespoon of water if needed.
• Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly across the bottom and up the side of the pan. Prick holes in the bottom of the dough with a fork. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside while making the chili.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned but not completely cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving behind as much fat in the skillet as possible. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chili powder, tomato paste and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the skillet, until the liquid is almost evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch, reserved Frito crumbs and 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar and stir until combined.
• Transfer the chili to the pie crust, top with the remaining 4 ounces (1 cup) Cheddar, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes then top with a layer of sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. Mound iceberg lettuce on top and sprinkle with pickled jalapeno slices, chopped onion, remaining Fritos and fresh cilantro leaves.

OLD FASHIONED FLAKY PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Whisk flour with salt in a bowl; use a fork to stir in vegetable oil. Mix in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, before adding more water. Gather dough into a ball, divide in half, and roll out on a floured work surface.