Grandma's Old Fashion Apple Pie

Autumn - what a beautiful season full of vibrant colours.  As a kid growing up in Saskatchewan it was a busy time, as this was harvest time. We grew an enormous garden at my Grandparents farm as well as one in town; everything to keep a family well fed for the winter.

My apples have been picked and its time to make some apple pie. My Grandma made the most amazing apple pie, baked in an old wood burning oven. My Mom also makes one tasty apple pie and so I must continue the tradition of the homemade apple pie!

Grandma's Old Fashion Apple Pie

by Laureen King from Art and the Kitchen

Ingredients:

Apple Filling:

• apple slices from about 10 apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

*use more or less sugar depending how tart your apples are.

Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (chilled)
• 1/2 cup lard (chilled-I used Crisco)
• 5-7 tablespoons ice cold water

Directions:

Make sure your butter, lard and water are well chilled before starting!!
While I prepared the crust my husband peeled and sliced the apples (isn't he sweet). He did have some help with the use of an apple peeler/corer/slicer gadget. This is one gadget I wouldn't do without as it makes quick work of making anything with apples.

1. Mix together flour, sugar and salt. (if you have to use salted butter, cut the salt to 1/2 tsp)
2. Using pastry blender mix together butter, lard and flour mix until crumbly with pea size chunks.
3. Add 1/2 of ice cold and mix evenly into flour with fork.
4. Add more water a tablespoon at a time until mixed and dough sticks together when pressed.
5. DO not overmix or your pie crust will be tough.
6. Divide in half, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
7. For apples- in large bowl toss together apples, sugars, and cinnamon.
8. Roll out pie dough to make two crusts that cover pie plate with about an inch excess.
9. Place one in bottom of pie plate.
10. Pile high with apple mix, cover with other pie crust, seal edges, cut slits for venting.
11. Sprinkle with white sugar and cinnamon.
12. Bake 350 for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Cover edge with foil if it gets too brown while baking.

TIP: put foil on bottom of oven in case pie leaks. If small amount leaks sprinkle salt on spillage to prevent smoking. If too much leaks change out tin foil as needed.

The journey of the apple pie....

Apple tree loaded with beautiful blossoms

The tree is loaded with nice sized apples!

One of several baskets of delicious apples.
YUM...Time for PIE!!