Settlers Pie Recipes

LATTICE-TOP CHERRY PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor. Add 1 stick cut-up butter and the shortening; pulse until it looks like coarse meal. Add the remaining 1 stick butter; pulse until it is in pea-size pieces. Add the egg yolk and 6 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough begins to clump together, adding up to 2 more tablespoons ice water if necessary. Turn out the dough onto a clean surface, divide in half and press into 2 disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Combine the cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest and juice and almond extract in a large bowl. Toss until the sugar is dissolved and the cherries are well coated; set aside.
• Roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch pie plate and trim, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Pour in the filling.
• Roll out the other disk of dough into a 12-inch round. Trim the edges, then cut the dough into 3/4-inch-wide strips using a fluted cutter or a knife. (You should have about 12 strips.) Lay half of the strips over the pie, about 3/4 inch apart. Fold back every other strip. Lay another strip of dough perpendicular to the existing strips, then fold the dough back over the new strip. Repeat, folding back every other strip and weaving in new ones, to form a lattice. Trim the strips, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold the overhanging dough (strips and bottom crust) under itself, pressing to seal. Crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork, if desired.
• Brush the lattice and crust edges with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Refrigerate the pie until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, put a baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and preheat to 400˚ F.
• Put the pie on the hot baking sheet and reduce the oven temperature to 375˚ F. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling, 55 to 65 minutes. (Tent with foil if the crust is browning too quickly.) Transfer to a rack and let cool completely before slicing.

AMERICAN KITCHEN CLASSIC APPLE PIE

Steps:

• In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, mix the flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter and mix in five 1-second bursts. Add shortening and continue mixing until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal, four or five more 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl.
• To do this by hand, freeze the butter and shortening, grate it into the flour using the large holes of a box grater, and rub the flour-coated pieces between your fingers for a minute until the flour turns pale yellow and coarse.
• Sprinkle 6 tablespoons ice water over mixture. Press mixture together with broad side of rubber spatula, adding up to 2 tablespoons more ice water if dough will not hold together. Squeeze dough gently until cohesive and divide into two equal balls. Flatten each into a disk a little larger than the length of your hand. Dust lightly with flour, wrap separately in plastic, and refrigerate 60 minutes or up to 2 days before rolling.
• When ready to make, remove dough from refrigerator. If stiff and very cold, let stand until dough is cool but malleable. Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 425°F.
• Roll one dough disk on a lightly floured surface into a 12 inch circle. Fold dough in quarters, then place dough point in center of 9 inch Pyrex regular or deep dish pie pan. Unfold dough.
• Gently press dough into sides of pan leaving portion that overhangs lip of pie plate in place. Refrigerate while preparing fruit.
• Peel, core, and cut apples into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices and toss with 3/4 cup sugar and lemon juice and zest through allspice. Turn fruit mixture, including juices, into chilled pie shell and mound slightly in center.
• Roll out other dough round and place over filling. Trim top and bottom edges to 1/2 inch beyond pan lip. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is flush with pan lip. Flute edging or press with fork tines to seal. Cut four slits at right angles on dough top. Brush egg white onto top of crust and sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake until top crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees; continue baking until juices bubble and crust is deep golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack; cool to almost room temperature, at least 4 hours.