Flaky Strawberry Pie Food

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Add the flour, sugar and salt to the bowl of your food processor (or a large bowl if your making the dough by hand).
• Turn the food processor on low speed and add the chunks of cold butter one at a time while the food processor runs until all the butter is added and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.If making by hand, use a pastry blender or your hands to work the butter into the dough until the mixture is crumbly. Try not to handle the butter too much (the heat from your hands will soften it) - use quick movements and don't worry if some larger chunks of butter still remain.
• Add the lemon juice and the water slowly as the food processor runs on low, just until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Depending on the weather and even on the brand of flour, I use anywhere between 5 and 8 tablespoons of water. If making by hand, use your hands to form the dough gently and quickly using just enough water for the dough to come together.
• Dump the rough dough onto the counter and divide the dough into two disc shapes and wrap each one separately in plastic wrap, placing it in the fridge to chill for 45 minutes or overnight.
• Add the sliced strawberries to a bowl, along with the cornstarch, sugar, salt and lemon juice. Toss just until combined.
• Set the filling aside while you prepare the crust for baking.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven runs hot, set it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. (Use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct temperature)
• Remove the chilled pie dough from the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rolling. Roll out one of the balls of dough into a large circle using a rolling pin. Add a generous amount of flour to the rolling surface and to the rolling pin, to prevent sticking and cracking.
• Peel the rolled out dough off the counter surface gently by rolling it backwards onto the rolling pin.
• Transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate and gently press the dough into the bottom of the pie plate and over the edges (try for a 1-2 inch overhang if possible).
• Add the strawberry filling to the pie crust and smooth out the top.
• Repeat the rolling out process with the second ball of dough, this time slicing it into about 10 long, thin slices using a pizza cutter (or a pastry cutter, if you have one).
• Create a lattice pattern using the strips of dough, overlapping every second vertical strip with every second horizontal strip.
• Trim any dough that hangs over the edge of the pie to 1-2 inches past the edge (try to keep the overhang amount even all the way around). Tuck any overhanging dough under and into the pie plate to create a clean edge.
• If your pie plate has a wide edge, seal the edge of the pie by creating a fluted pattern - press into the edge of the pie from the outside with your left thumb and index finger while pressing into the edge of the pie from the inside with your right index finger. Do this all the way around the edge of the pie to create a fluted pattern (and see my tutorial HERE for how to create a beautiful fluted edge to your pies!)
• Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of water and brush it lightly onto the unbaked crust. Use a light hand while brushing - too much egg wash creates an eggy texture after baking.
• Dust the crust with the coarse sugar and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 375 (350 if your oven runs hot) and bake for an additional 35-45 minutes or until the crust is evenly browned and the filling is bubbly.
• Let cool to room temperature before slicing and serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

FLAKY STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine 4 teaspoons milk and water; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 450°. Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edge of pastry. Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 7 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and remaining milk until smooth. Spread over bottom of crust; arrange strawberries over the top., In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, salt and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Chill until partially set. Pour over berries. Refrigerate until set.

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• In small bowl, mash enough strawberries to measure 1 cup.
• In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch.
• Gradually stir in 1/2 cup water and mashed strawberries.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
• Boil and stir 1 minute; cool.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Spread evenly in pie crust. Top with remaining strawberries. Pour cooked strawberry mixture over top. Refrigerate until set, about 3 hours. Store in refrigerator.

STRAWBERRY SLAB PIE

Steps:

• Make the Double-Crust Pate Brisee and divide it in half. Place one half back in the fridge while you work with the other.
• Generously flick flour over the work surface and roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick and large enough to line the bottom and sides of a rimmed 9 x 13-inch quarter-sheet pan or baking pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with the dough, making sure to press the dough into the corners. You may need to patch it up if the dough tears. Dock it with a pastry docker (see Cook's Note) or by poking it all over with a fork. Refrigerate the pie shell for at least 30 minutes to allow the dough to relax.
• Meanwhile, line a baking sheet or large flat platter with parchment paper and set aside. Remove the other half of the dough from the fridge and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick and large enough to cover the whole top of the pie. Place the rolled-out dough on the prepared baking sheet or platter and refrigerate until you are ready to use it.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place a rack in the center of the oven. Line the pie shell with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights, dried beans, or uncooked rice. Blind bake the pie shell (see Cook's Note) for 20 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan midway through the baking time, until the pie shell is matte and pale golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. When the pie weights have cooled down, remove them carefully from the pie shell and discard the parchment. Set aside the pie shell.
• In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries, superfine sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and salt and toss to combine well. Let macerate for about 15 minutes. Pour the fruit and any accumulated juices over the pie shell. Remove the rolled-out dough from the fridge and drape it over the pie. Press the dough gently along the rim of the pan to adhere it to the edges of the bottom crust. Trim any excess dough so that there is just a slight overhang (the dough will shrink during baking, so you want there to be a little extra along the edge). Whisk the egg for the egg wash in a small bowl with a fork. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the top of the dough with the egg wash. Sprinkle the top evenly with the sanding sugar. Slit the dough decoratively in 6 to 8 places to allow steam to escape while baking. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, rotating the pan midway through the baking time, until the top is dark golden brown through and through--no pale soggy places!
• Remove the pie from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours, so the fruit has time to set up. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• The pie can be stored well covered, at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you store it in the fridge, it's best served warmed; reheat the pie in a 300 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the top and bottom crisp up a little bit.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, paddle together the flour, sugar, and salt for 10 to 15 seconds. Cut the butter into about 12 pieces and add it to the flour mixture. Paddle slowly until the flour is no longer bright white and the mixture holds together when you clump it, and there are still lumps of butter the size of pecans throughout, 60 to 90 seconds.
• Whisk together the egg yolks and milk in a small bowl and add them all at once to the flour-butter mixture. Paddle very briefly, just until it barely comes together, about 30 seconds. It will look really shaggy and more like a mess than a dough.
• Dump the dough out onto a clean work surface and gather it together into a tight mound. Using the heel of your hand, smear the dough, starting at the top of the mound and sliding your hand down the sides of the mound along the work surface, until most of the butter chunks are smeared into the dough and the whole thing comes together.
• Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and press it down to make a disk about 1 inch thick. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using.
• The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. Wrap in another layer of plastic if storing for more than 1 day.