Oh the weather

daphne on October 18, 2008

Throngs of people will tell you that life in Colorado is just grand thanks to the 300+ days of glorious sunshine. I’ll let you in on a little secret: those sunny days can really grind on a person. They come with a burden of responsibility to get out there, get the kids outside, go ride a bike or climb a mountain or some such nonsense. Frankly, it’s exhausting. Ok so maybe it is just what the doctor ordered; but sometimes fresh air is overrated.

Last weekend came roaring in like an angry wet lion. Chilly and soggy and not a reason in the world to pull off pajamas or venture outside (well, except Dave, who braved the weather to save the last of the tomatoes.

We read that pulling in the whole vine and wrapping the bunch in newspapers is the answer to an early frost. They did in fact ripen nicely, within about a week.)

Oh yes, and Dave heroically ventured back out into the yard for wood, making the the girls enormously happy as they settled in before the first fire of the season.

I too eventually shed my pajamas to join neighbor Kristin and her daughter for pie-crust-making 101. (Full disclosure: that beautiful pie I boasted of was made of home grown apples…and Pillsbury crust. I know, I know, shame shame on me. I’m a stinky cheater. Lucky for us all Kristin was on a crusade to change that.)

Kristin’s claim? Not only is homemade crust infinitely tastier, but contrary to popular opinion it is not something to be feared. I had my doubts, but in the interest of research and dessert I crossed the street with a bag of apples, a pie dish and an open mind.

Once we got the apples peeled and ready to go, Kristin and daughter Rachel showed us the ropes, following Grandma’s (not so anymore) secret recipe. Kira joined us, delivering the lemon for the filling so I could follow my favorite apple pie recipe for the filling, passed down to me from my late cousin, Valerie, a woman who knew her way around a pie. And Kira stayed, putting her muscle to work rolling and patting and well, you know the drill.

So? Was it worth it? All the rolling and the kneading and the flour in our hair?

Resoundingly, yes. We enjoyed a morning that was wonderful, warm and neighborly. And later on, we enjoyed our pie, our flaky, melt-in-your-mouth, fresh-from-the-tree, hot apple pie. With home-made crust, and of course, ice cream on the side.

Apple Pie

daphne on October 18, 2008

I like my apple pie on the not-so-sweet side, but you can always add more sugar to taste. I also like it piled super high, so base the amount of apples on the size of your pie plate.

For the filling:

  • 12-15 apples, peeled and sliced in thin slices
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar
  • 2 Tbls cinnamon
  • Zest and juice of one lemon (use juice of 1/2 lemon if you want a sweeter pie)

Put all above ingredients in a bowl and toss lightly. Set aside

For the crust:

(This recipe makes 3 crusts, or enough for one two-crust pie and one one-crust pie.)

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/3 butter flavored crisco (I’m going to try butter next time, but the right cool temperature and soft texture is very important)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbls vinegar–apple cider or white
  • 1/3 c ice cold water–really cold is the trick
  • 1 tsp salt

Mix flour, shortening and salt with a pastry blender (I haven’t got one yet; a fork will work too, just not as well.) Mix until it resembles little pebbles.

Beat the egg, water and vinegar together. Add to the flour mixture.

Mix lightly with a fork until it forms a loose ball.

Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out.

For two-crust apple pie, put the bottom crust in your dish and fill with filling. Top with 1-2 Tbls of butter, cut in chunks and dotted atop the filling.

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 and continue baking for 25-30 minutes longer, or until crust is evenly brown.

My brother insists that only vanilla ice cream is worthy to be served ala mode. I’m a more equal opportunity ice cream fan. Either way, enjoy!