Apple Pie

I love Applie Pie. I had a friend once who made the most delicious and simple apple crumble pie you have ever tasted! However, I never wrote it down and being 20 odd years ago, I simply cannot remember. In the meantime, I have been working on a recipe and this one is delicious! A little heavy, perhaps, but perfect for a snuggly warm treat. 

Preparation time: 30min
Cooking time: +- 1hour
Serves: 6-9
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

For the pastry:
4cups flour
2t baking powder
1tbs salt
1/2cup castor sugar
500g very cold margarine, grated
+- 1/2 cup ice water

For the filling:
2tbs margarine
1cup brown sugar
1/4cup raisins
8-10 granny smith apples
5 whole cloves
pinch of nutmeg
2t cinnamon
1/2cup warm water

Extra castor sugar

Method

Soak the raisins in the warm water for about 10minutes. Peel, core and slice the apples. Melt the butter and add the raisins, the apples, sugar, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. 

Simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, until the apple is soft. Remove from heat, keep covered. Let it cool completely.

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and castor sugar together. Crumb in the grated margarine. 

Divide the mixture into 2. 

Cut the ice water into one of the halves with a knife, until it starts to come together. Press together until it forms a stiff ball. you might need more water. Add the water little by little. Cover with Gladwrap. Let it rest in the fridge for no less than 30min. 

Once rested, roll out the dough and line a baking dish. Roll out the remaining dough and cut into strips, about 2cm in width.

Once the apples are completely cooled, mix the other half of the crumbed mixture into the apple mixture. 

Scoop into the baking dish and level out. Plait the dough strips over the top. 

Bake in the oven at 160degrees C for 20minutes. Take out and lightly sprinkle with some castor sugar. Put back in the oven and bake until lightly browned.

Remove from oven and serve warm.

Enjoy as is, or with some ice cream or whipped cream.

Yours in oil and veggies.... and pie!!

Risch