Spring Peach Pear Dream Pie Food

PEACH PIE

Steps:

• Combine 2 1/2 pounds peach wedges with 3/4 cup light brown sugar, the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour into pie shell; dot with 4 tablespoons butter.
• Perfect All-Butter Piecrust
• Pulse 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Add 1 diced stick cold butter; process until combined. Add 2 more diced sticks cold butter; pulse three times, or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar. Gradually pour in 1/3 cup ice water, pulsing about four times until combined. Turn out onto a clean surface and press into a cohesive dough without overworking (you should see bits of butter). Wrap in plastic wrap and press into a 1-inch-thick disk; refrigerate at least 1 hour before rolling out.
• How to Make a Pie
• Divide the chilled dough in half; roll 1 piece into a 12-inch, 1/8-inch-thick circle on a lightly floured surface (refrigerate the other piece).
• Roll the dough onto a rolling pin, then unroll it into a 9-inch glass pie plate, letting it hang over the edge; add filling (see options above).
• Roll out the other piece of dough and place over the filling; press the crust edges together and trim, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Roll up or pinch the overhang to seal.
• Place a foil-lined baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees. Wrap an oiled, wide band of foil around the pie edge to protect the crust. Make slashes in the top of the crust; chill for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pie for 30 minutes. Remove the foil band, brush the crust with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes; cool before slicing.

SPRING PEACH-PEAR DREAM PIE

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and preserves together in a bowl, mixing well. Fold in whipped topping.
• Spoon into pie crust. Arrange fruit attractively on the top of whipped mixture.
• Chill for 2 hours and garnish with additional whipped topping if you like.

DEEP-DISH WINTER FRUIT PIE WITH WALNUT CRUMB

Steps:

• To make the pie pastry, put the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl, stir to combine, then put the bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Add the butter to the flour mixture and toss to evenly coat. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, a food processor, an electric mixer, or your hands, just until the mixture becomes coarse and crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. Stir the water and lemon juice together, then pour over the dry ingredients and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Dump the dough onto a well-floured work surface and press it into a 6-inch disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Roll the chilled dough into a 14-inch disk, then line a 9 or 10 by 3-inch springform pan with the rolled-out dough. Patch any holes and trim off any dough that hangs over the edges of the pan. Chill for an additional 30 minutes while you prepare the crumb topping and the fruit filling.
• To make the walnut crumb topping, mix the flour, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl. Stir in the butter, then work it in with your hands until the texture of crumbs. Put the topping in the refrigerator while you make the fruit filling.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F.
• To make the fruit filling, remove the stem from each fig, then boil the figs in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Slice each fig into 4 to 5 pieces, put them in a large bowl, and add the apples, pears, and cranberries. Separately, rub the sugar and cornstarch together, then add to the fruit and gently toss until evenly coated.
• Transfer the filling to the pie shell and top with the walnut crumb. Bake in the lower third of the oven for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the crumb is golden, the fruit juices are bubbling thickly around the edges, and the fruit is tender when pierced with a wooden skewer. If the crumb is getting too dark, cover it with foil.
• Storage: Covered with a tea towel, the pie will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. Spooned into a bowl and drizzled with chilled cream, it makes a wonderful breakfast.

PEACH PLUM PEAR CASSEROLE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a small container, mix cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of syrup from the peaches.
• In a large bowl, combine cornstarch mixture, peaches, plums, pears, maraschino cherries, almonds, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Pour into a shallow 2-1/2 quart casserole.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Cut in the cold shortening until mixture is coarse; stir in the sour cream until blended.
• On a floured surface, toss the dough lightly to coat with flour.
• Knead/roll the dough 8-10 times with a floured rolling pin.
• Roll it carefully into a 1/2" thick shape slightly smaller than the casserole, trimming the edges if necessary.
• Cut a 2" circle in the center or use a small cookie cutter to cut a decorative design or two near the center.
• Carefully place this pastry dough on top of the fruit mixture, with the edge of the dough NOT touching the sides of the baking dish.
• Brush top lightly with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake about 40 to 45 minutes or until the pastry is a dark golden brown.
• Cool at least 25 minutes before serving.