Thursday, October 29, 2015

Apple-Cheddar Prize-winning Pie!

There was a category for most unique pie, a "Pie like no other!" in the pie contest at my work's fall social event. I figured I had a good shot at winning that one, since I know everyone else might be headed for "Best in Show". I found a food network recipe for an apple pie that included a modification to add cheddar cheese. Several thoughts went through my mind..."Cheese makes everything better"...and..." I love to eat apple slices with cheese". This recipe, although new, had the potential to be great! Turns out at least 10 people voted for it today in a blind-taste-test at work! Great success. Recipe below!



Apple-Cheddar Pie 



MAKES: one 9-inch pie
3 pounds mixed apples (Half Granny Smith, Half Gala)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)

2/3 C. Sharp Cheddar cheese, diced
1 recipe for Pie Crust from Stacy’s Mom*
1 large egg, beaten
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Peel and core the apples; slice 1/4 inch thick. Toss with the granulated sugar and lemon juice. Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring, until tender, about 10 minutes. (If using thinner sliced apples, like from an apple peeler/slicer/corer, cook for less time). Stir in the flour, cinnamon and salt; cook until thickened, 1 more minute. Let cool.

Roll out ½ of dough into a 12-inch round on a floured surface; ease into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the cheddar to the cooled filling, then place in pie plate, mounding them slightly in the center, and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Roll out the remaining dough into a 12-inch round. Lay it over the filling; press the edges of the crusts together, then fold the overhang under itself and crimp to seal. Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut a few slits in the top crust. Chill 1 hour.

Place a baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees F for 30 minutes. Place the pie on the hot baking sheet; lower the temperature to 375 degrees F. Bake until golden, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes. (Cover the edges with foil if they brown too quickly.) Cool on a rack.

 
*Pie crust from Stacy’s Mom:

2 C. Flour, sifted
1 t. salt
¾-1 C. shortening (using 1 C. makes it easier to roll out)
¼ C. flour
6 ½ T. COLD Water

 
Sift flour and salt together in large mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until flour comes together to look like peas.

In a small bowl, mix together ¼ c flour and cold water. Add to flour/shortening mixture until it comes together as dough (don’t over-mix!)

Mound into a ball, wrap in wax paper and chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out.

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