Thursday, March 5, 2009

FOODIE FRIDAY

Please join our host at http://designesbygollum.blogspot.com/ to view the other posts.


Two weeks ago, our youngest son came for a visit, so I baked him his favorite dessert, FRENCH APPLE PIE. After it was baked, I put it on the center island to cool, and left it for the Rooster to guard.My son loves Pecans, so over the years I have used them in the pie, in a couple of ways, so I decided to share this recipe today. Can you tell that someone already tested the pecans and even tried to cover it up by re-arranging them. Of course no one owned up to it, so it must have been the dog. Yeah right....

The apple centerpiece always sits on the kitchen table, but the apple dishes only make it to the table for apple pie. Of course the cup and saucer are the Franciscan, Apple pattern.


As you can see, he didn't take a small piece, and he topped it off with Pecan Ice Cream too.


For years I used Pillsbury Pie Crust Mix, that was until I tried Martha Stewart's recipe for PATE BRISEE ( better knows as Pie Dough). This is so easy to make and once you try it, you'll never go back to the boxed mix.


FRENCH APPLE PIE


Pate Brisee (Pie Dough):


Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-9 to 10 inch pies.


2 1/2 C. all -purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

1 C. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1/2 C. ice water


1. In the bowl of a electric mixer, combine flour, salt and sugar. Add butter, and mix (slowly at first) then increase the speed until the mixture resembles coarse meal.


2. With the machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream. Mix until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to over mix.


3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Transfer to the refrigerator, and chill at least 1 hour or over night. Dough maybe be stored, frozen, up to one month.


4. Once dough is chilled, roll out one of the disks on a floured surface and fit into a pie plate. Trim the edges in the manor of your choosing. Set aside.
At this point pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees


Apple Filling :


8 to 10 apples, peeled and cut into wedges ( I find Gala apples are best)

1/2 C. sugar

1/8 C. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbs. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

3 pats butter


Mix all of the ingredients together, except the butter. Pour into the pie shell, then place the pats of butter on top of the apple mixture. Set aside again.


Topping:


1 C. flour

1 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. ground pecans

1 Tbs. almond extract

1/2 C. unsalted butter
Pecan halves (for top)


Combine flour, brown sugar and pecans, add extract and then cut butter into the mixture. WASH YOUR HANDS and dry them, then squeeze the mixture with your hands to make large crumbs. Arrange evenly over the apple filling. Place Pecan halves on top of crumbs.


Cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 25 minutes, or until the pie crust edges are a golden brown.



Hint.....A 2 pc. pie protector set works better than aluminum foil for the crust, and the bottom piece protects your oven from drips. It's worth the investment.

20 comments:

Rattlebridge Farm said...

This is the best apple pie recipe EVER. Oh, D, it looks so deep and dense, so juicy sweet with the right snap of crust. Bravo!!!!

Hugs,
G

Anonymous said...

Hi D! Oh, how I love pecan pie, but have never had any luck making one. Maybe I could just come over and have one tiny slice of this one? :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

susan said...

You and I have the same problem--hiding the pecans!!

susan said...

You and I have the same problem--hiding the pecans!!

a quiet life said...

looks great, and what a wonderful kitchen i spy in the background~

Chandy said...

Yummy!! I love French Apple pies. I think your photos just gave me the courage to start baking one. I'll use those store pie crust to practice on... What a great foodie choice for today! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!

Anonymous said...

THe apple pie looks divine!!! THanks for the recipe!

blessings
mary

Kristen said...

This sounds so yummy! I love the idea of adding pecans, I've never thought of that!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

oh this apple pie sounds heavenly!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

This looks so YUMMY Girl..I love pecans...never thought to use for apple pie...thanks for sharing hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Elaine said...

Oh this pie looks just heavenly! I know I'll score points at my house if I make this one. Sounds like its a hit at your house for sure. And how handy it is to have such a handsome rooster to guard it for you!
Elaine :)

Dream Mom said...

Your picture was just beautiful with the pecans. I'll have to try it. Thank you for the recipe for the pie crust. I've been looking for a good one to use instead of Pillsbury. I try to make most everything from scratch and this one sounds easy enough.

Wish I could try a piece! LOL!

imjacobsmom said...

D, I'll confess, it was me - I stole a pecan. I'm keeping this recipe! My mouth is watering. I adore your apple plates. ~ Robyn

Tootsie said...

oh my goodness! my mouth is just watering! thanks! (oh and my waistline thanks you too!!!!)

jerseygirl211 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi sweetie.. thought I would stop by and grab a piece of this wonderful looking pie...thanks for the recipe..hubby might enjoy one this week..lol.. do I spy a "gorgeous" kitchen in the background??? I think you must show it girl..
My continued prayers for your family my friend.. hugs ~lynne~

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi D~ ~ ~
Looks like a winner! I must give it a try. We love apple pie here too.

Nancy Jane said...

The pie looks fabulous. My husband says he doesn't like nuts, but whe he tried pecan pie a few years ago he turned into a fan, lol, so I may be able to give this recipe a go. Nancy PS: I have a pie ring set and just love it, because I hate cleaning the oven!

Rue said...

Hi D :)

That pie looks absolutely fantastic!! I would have eaten it before you could have taken a picture LOL

hugs,
rue

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

A "pie protector set?" I didn't know they had such a thing. I must check into that. Ok..I have the pecans in the freezer. HUGE bag..no dog big enough to reach up on the table..no kiddies around (well, only one BIG one) so..Pecan pie here I come! Martha Stewart's pie crust?
My recipe is 50 years old so perhaps Martha has a new trick or two. I will check. Thanks for a great post. I really enjoyed it!!
Mona