DRIED CRANBERRY APPLE PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• *MEAN CHEF's pie crust recipe is one of the best I've ever run across, or use your favorite.
• Prepare pie dough and refrigerate at least 2 hours, while preparing and cooling filling; better yet, refrigerate dough overnight.
• To prepare filling, toss apple slices with dried cranberries or cherries in a microwave-safe bowl, and drizzle with lemon juice, melted butter, and honey, toss again, and sprinkle with sugar, spices, and cornstarch.
• Drizzle with brandy, and toss again.
• Cover, and microwave on HIGH for 8-10 minutes, tossing well and turning after 4-5 minutes.
• Toss again, cover, and allow to cool completely or refrigerate overnight, Roll out top and bottom crusts between pieces of lightly floured wax paper, and lay bottom crust into a 9" glass pie plate that has been lightly greased or coated with nonstick spray.
• Press crust gently into bottom of pie pan, and trim about 1" larger than pan.
• Brush edge of crust with water, stir and add filling, and top with small pieces of butter.
• Lay on top crust, trim to same size as the bottom crust, and gently press the edges together.
• Fold edge under, and crimp decoratively as desired.
• Cut several small steam vents in crust, brush lightly with cream, milk, or egg wash, and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
• Place pie on a baking sheet to catch any spills, and place in a preheated 425 degree F oven.
• Bake for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 375 degrees F, and bake for another 20 minutes.
• Check pie, and if browning too fast, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
• Continue to bake for another 20 minutes or until crust is crisp and nicely browned.
• Remove from oven, and place pie pan on a wire rack to cool.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, with a big chunk of sharp cheddar cheese or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Steps:

• PASTRY: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor with a metal chopping blade; pulse to mix.
• Add butter and shortening and pulse 5-8 more times until the mixture looks like coarse oatmeal.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 the water and pulse.
• Gradually add in more of the water in the same manner until the dough holds together when pinched with your fingertips (you may not need all of it).
• On a floured surface, form the dough into a ball and then flatten into a disk.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and for up to 3 days.
• FILLING: Toss apples, cranberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and spices together in a large bowl; set aside.
• BAKING AND ASSEMBLY: Preheat oven to 400°F Roll dough on a floured surface to make a 15 inch circle.
• Fold dough into quarters; place on a large baking sheet and unfold.
• Place filling in the center of the pastry, leaving a 2 1/2 border all around.
• Fold the pastry border over the filling (I fold this in several small sections- some pieces of the crust will overlap each other, and this is just how it should be; remember that it's a rustic pie).
• Brush pastry with egg white and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Pull oven rack out so you can get to the pie; cover the pie with foil and bake for 15 more minutes.
• Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack.
• Cover and store pie at room temperature.