Recipe: Warm Apple Pie

Keys hung up, briefcase down. Jacket off, apron on. With black stiletto’s on and a glass of wine in hand, I try to think of a dessert that my husband would love to eat. The movie American Pie comes to mind. Now every man loves warm apple pie, so I think this dessert would be perfect for tonight. He can have the baked apple pie after dinner, and my apple pie later on.

Ingredients

Bought short crust pastry                                      8 cups sliced, peeled baking apples

2 tablespoons lemon juice                                    ¾ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar                                                 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                              ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons butter                                             1 egg yolk

1 tablespoon milk

Method

1. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice.  You can use a utensil but it’s always more fun with fingers.

2. Combine sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to apples and toss well to coat.

3. Line a 9 inch pie pan (...yes a ‘9 incher’ is a good size) with pastry and blind bake for 15 min. This avoids the pie getting a soggy bottom as everyone likes a firm bottom. Then fill with apple mixture and dot with butter.

4. Place second crust on the top of pie filling, cut slits in the top of the crust to vent. Seal the edges of the crust with a fork or by hand.  If by hand, make sure your hands are clean as dirtiness is preferred in the bedroom, not the kitchen.

5. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and milk. Give it a good beating. Brush mixture over top crust, stroking it gently.

6. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

7. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 40-45 minutes more or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.

8. Serve warm with a smothering of cream.

* WARNING: The saying “Eat your food, don’t play with it,” – as your parents used to say – applies here. This meal is not to be enjoyed in the way depicted on American Pie.