PIPPEN PIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Blend flour and hazelnuts in processor until nuts are finely ground. Add brown sugar and salt; blend 20 seconds. Add butter and lard; using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to bowl. Add 4 tablespoons ice water; stir until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough together; divide into 2 equal pieces. Form each into ball; flatten each into disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Toss apples, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in large bowl. Roll out 1 dough disk on generously floured surface to 12-inch round, rotating crust often to prevent sticking. Generously flour 11- or 12-inch tart pan bottom. Slide tart pan bottom under dough round. Carefully slide dough round into 9-inch pie dish. Press crust onto bottom and up sides of dish; pinch and press to seal any cracks. Spoon filling into crust; drizzle with melted butter.
• Roll out second dough disk on generously floured surface to 13-inch round. Slide same floured tart pan bottom under dough round. Carefully allow dough round to slide off tart pan bottom onto pie filling; pinch to seal any cracks in crust. Press top crust and bottom crust together at edge. Fold edge under; crimp decoratively. Cut X in center of top crust. Brush top crust lightly with milk. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Transfer pie to rimmed baking sheet. Bake pie 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake pie 25 minutes. Cover crust edges with foil collar to prevent overbrowning; continue baking until crust is golden, apples are tender, and juices are bubbling thickly in center, about 20 minutes longer. Transfer pie to rack and cool. Serve with ice cream.

Steps:

• Prepare a double pie crust as directed.
• Roll out one disk on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle and place the pastry in the pie plate.
• Gently press the dough into sides pie plate leaving an overhang of crust.
• Refrigerate while preparing the apple filling.
• Set oven rack to the second-lowest position and heat to 425 degrees.
• Peel, core and slice the apples into 1/2-inch slices (no larger than 1/2-inch).
• Place in a bowl and gently toss the apples with the fresh lemon juice.
• In a small bowl combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg (if using).
• Add the sugar mixture to the apples and toss well to coat.
• Transfer the apple mixture into the chilled prepared crust and mound the apples slightly in the center.
• Dot with 2 tablespoons butter.
• Roll out the second pastry, and place over filling.
• Flute the edges together.
• Make several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape (if the pie dough is too soft, place in the freezer for 10 minutes).
• Whisk an egg white with a fork, and brush onto top of crust.
• Sprinkle with sugar.
• Place on a cookie sheet to catch any spills.
• Bake for 25 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees (leave the pie in the oven and do not open the oven door) continue baking for about another 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 4 hours before slicing the pie.
• TO MAKE PIE WITH CRUMB TOPPING: in a bowl combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon; mix well with a spoon.
• Add in 1/2 cup COLD butter (no subs) cut into small chunks and mix together with your fingers to combine well.
• Add in some chopped walnuts if desired.
• Place in the fridge while preparing the pie.
• Make the pie filling exactly as directed, and dot with 2-3 tablespoons of butter before sprinkling on the topping.
• Bake as directed, but cover with foil the least 15 minutes of baking.