Neely’s Meadow Apple Pie

It’s fall! And what a wonderful time to enjoy fresh-picked apples! In Harriet Cook’s mountain neighborhood, there’s a local family (the Neely’s) who has a beautiful meadow full of apple trees. During our afternoon walk, we can’t help stopping in to gather a few juicy apples. Having gathered a bit more than a few, it just seemed like a perfect time for homemade apple pie.

This recipe is adapted from the Food Network.

Serves: 8

• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 pounds baking apples, we used ones we picked in Neely’s meadow
• 2/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling on the pie
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions:

Make the dough, either by hand or with a food processor.  You can also use pre-made pie crust to simplify this recipe (but there’s nothing better than a homemade crust!).

1. To make the dough by hand: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles yellow corn meal mixed with bean-sized bits of butter. Add the egg and stir the dough together with a fork or by hand in the bowl.
   1. *If the flour/butter mixture gets warm, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before proceeding.
   2. If the dough is dry, sprinkle up to a tablespoon more of cold water over the mixture.
2. To make the dough in a food processor: With the machine fitted with the metal blade, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles yellow cornmeal mixed with bean size bits of butter, about 10 times. Add the egg and pulse 1 to 2 times.  Don’t let the dough form into a ball in the machine. Remove the bowl from the machine, remove the blade, and bring the dough together by hand.
   1. If the dough is very dry add up to a tablespoon more of cold water.
3. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.

Next, make the pie filling:

1. Put the lemon juice in a medium bowl. Peel, halve, and core the apples. Cut each half into 4 wedges. Toss the apple with the lemon juice. Add the sugar and toss to combine evenly.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the apples, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the apples soften and release most of their juices, about 7 minutes.
3. Strain the apples in a colander over a medium bowl to catch all the juice. Shake the colander to get as much liquid as possible. Return the juices to the skillet, and simmer over medium heat until thickened and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the reduced juice and spices. Set aside to cool completely. 

Then, assemble the pie:

1. Cut the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough into a disc about 11 to 12 inches wide. Layer the dough between pieces of parchment or wax paper on a baking sheet, and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
2. Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Line the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan with one of the discs of dough, and trim it so it lays about 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the pan. Put the apple filling in the pan and mound it slightly in the center. Brush the top edges of the dough with the egg. Place the second disc of dough over the top. Fold the top layer of dough under the edge of the bottom layer and press the edges together to form a seal. Flute the edge as desired. Brush the surface of the dough with egg and then sprinkle with sugar. Pierce the top of the dough in several places to allow steam to escape while baking. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
4. Bake the pie on a baking sheet until the crust is golden, about 50 minutes. Cool on a rack before serving. 

Cook’s Notes:

• This filling can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated or frozen for up to 6 months.
• The pie keeps well at room temperature (covered) for 24 hours, or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• You may freeze the uncooked pie, but don’t brush it with egg or dust it with sugar beforehand.
  • To prepare the pie for the freezer, place the pie in the freezer for 30 minutes, to harden it slightly, and then double wrap it with plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 6 months.
  • When ready to bake, unwrap the pie, brush it with egg, and sprinkle it with sugar. Bake from the frozen state until golden brown, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Recipe contributed by OPL Good Life Analyst Harriet Cook.

Learn more about Harriet.

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