Kermit & Barbara Troxel
My grandmother was a war bride from the second world war. My grandparents met in England and were married in 1944. She was a very proper English woman and was not familiar with the hard work that lied ahead for her being a farmer’s wife. My grandfather brought her to Nebraska to carve out a life from the soil. They were farmers and had a very hard life. When she arrived in the US she had to learn how to cook in the American style. It took time but she became a master of home cooking. This trip has really helped me to understand this side of my family and appreciate what they went through. I wanted to pay a small tribute to her by posting her vintage apple pie recipe.
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Combine the flower, Crisco and salt and mix it together with your hands.
Add small amounts of water to the dough to form a ball (you may not need all the water & it must be ice cold).
Now so the dough will not stick to the counter flower the surface where you plan to roll it out on.
Cut the ball into two pieces. This will make the lower and upper crust of the pie.
Roll each half out to around a 1/2 inch of thickness. Make sure the dough is rolled out enough to fill a 9 inch pie pan.
To make the pie crust flaky make sure you do not knead the dough.
Take one half of the dough and place it into the pie dish. Remember the less you handle the dough the better.
Next grab a bowl to combine the pie filling ingredients.
Take your apples and core and peel them. Cut the apples into 1/4 inch slices. Throw them in the bowl.
Add sugar, flour cinnamon and mix with hands.
Add filling to pie dish.
Place the second part of your pie crust over the top of the pie. Use your fingers to flute the edges of the upper and lower part of the pie crust.
Use a knife to cut off any excess dough from around the edge of the pie.
Take a knife and put 4, 1/2 inch slits in the top of the crust to help release steam.
Beat one egg and brush the top of the pie to help it golden. Sprinkle some sugar on top of pie to sweeten the crust.
Put pie in oven for 35 minuets till crust is golden brown.
**Note the best thing to do to keep your oven clean is to place a cookie dish under the pie while cooking in case it bubbles over while cooking.**
***You can also use this recipe for cherry or peach pie as well***
Hepcats Haven 