I Like Pie!

But I am not a piemaker.  My sister had that job in our household.  I remember asking her the night before what turned out to be our last Thanksgiving dinner to make another pie crust for me so we could have apple pie too.  You should have seen the look she gave me.  Actually, if you have an older sister you probably know exactly the kind of eye-roll she gave me.  But she made it and it was fabulous.  Fortunately my oldest daughter paid close attention to how to make an Aunt Jenny pie crust.

For those of us who find a traditional pie crust a bit tedious to make, I offer an alternative.  We made this pie while we were at the lake for spring break.  We were sceptical but in the end, we really liked this one.  Try it.  You won't be disappointed.


Remy's Patchwork Apple Pie(Makes one 9-inch pie)

Ingredients:
7 Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, or Fuji apples
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4-inch slices. Cover the bottom of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with the apple slices and sprinkle with the raisins.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 3/4 cup of the sugar and the butter on medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the egg, then add the 1 1/2 cups flour and mix well.
4. Sprinkle a work surface with about 1/4 cup flour. Turn the dough out onto the work surface and work it by hand as you flatten it into a crust that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. (You could also roll the dough with a rolling pin.) Pat the dough lightly to flatten it. Cut the crust into two-inch squares and lay these over the apples to create a patchwork effect. Brush with the cream.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining tablespoon of sugar, the cinnamon, and the walnuts, if using. Sprinkle over the crust and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes longer, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
You can find this recipe online here or look for
Or look for Debra Ponzek's book The Family Kitchen : Easy and Delicious Recipes for Parents and Kids to Make and Enjoy Together at your favorite bookstore.