Don’t get angry, go Dutch
October 6, 2008
St. Charles County
by Kris Kolk
After such a productive trip to Mills Apple Farm, I decided to bake a pie with some of the 20 pounds of apples we picked.
Do you ever have one of those days when your pie crust doesn’t cooperate? Of course, if you purchase your pie crust, there shouldn’t be a problem. But to use a purchased pie crust, one must first…think ahead and buy one.
So, if you didn’t think ahead and buy a ready-made pie crust* and if your home-made pie crust is mocking you, don’t despair. Just turn that apple pie into a Dutch apple pie!
You can still use the stubborn home-made pie crust mixture for the bottom crust. You don’t even have to roll it out. Just press pieces of dough into the bottom of a greased pie plate. Bottom crust…done.
Peel and chop about 8 medium-sized apples and set aside.
Mix ¼ cup flour, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.
Add the apples and stir.
Pour the apples into the lovely pastry-lined pie plate and dot the filling with about 2 tablespoons of margarine.
At this point, lay a sheet of foil over the pie and bake in a 425 degree preheated oven for about 10 minutes.
While the filling is baking, make the crumbly topping instead of getting frustrated by rolling out a top crust.
Crumbly topping:
¾ cup flour
¾ cup rolled oats
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup melted or soft butter
Mix topping ingredients together. Remove filling from the oven and sprinkle the crumbly topping on top of the apple mixture.
Reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake the pie for 30 to 35 minutes, until the topping is browned.
You won’t even have to call the family to the kitchen for a slice.
The glorious wafting aroma will do it for you.
*Pie Crust
3 cups flour
1 ¼ cup shortening
1 tablespoon salt
5 tablespoons of cold water
1 tablespoon of vinegar
Mix. Let stand for a few minutes before rolling out. Makes 2 double layer pies.
Freeze extra. Warm to room temperature before rolling out.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town