Grandma Nellie's Apple Pie

By Nyneve

"Is there another person in the whole world who can make an apple pie equal to my mother's? And it tastes best when she makes it! [Bev]"

Ingredients

• Filling
• 5 to 6 cups (about 2 1/2 pounds) peeled and thinly sliced apples (Cortland, McIntosh or Rome Beauty)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Minute tapioca granules
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• Pinch or two of white sugar to sprinkle on top of crust before baking.
• Combine apples, sugar, tapioca, spice and salt in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Pastry
• 2 2/3 cups flour
• 1 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs 1/2 cup cold water (amount can vary +/-)

Preparation

Step 1

Assembling Apple Pie

Put flour, sugar, salt and shortening into 3-quart bowl. With fingers or pastry blender break up shortening and mix until shortening is about the size of peas.

Combine vinegar and water. Blend into flour mixture a little at a time until firm ball forms. Let dough rest for 10 minutes in refrigerator.

Roll half of pastry on a floured board to about 1/8" thick to make about 12-inch circle. Line 8-inch pie plate with pastry. Do not stretch -- let it fit loosely. Sprinkle dry bread crumbs onto bottom of shell. Fill with apple mixture, spreading evenly. Dot with butter. Trim excess pastry to rim of pie: plate. Moisten edge of pastry with cold water.

Roll remaining pastry to 12-inch circle. Make 3 slits (l-inch long) in center of circle for steam to escape. Place pastry over filling and let top crust hang over edge of plate. Trim excess away. Seal edges by pressing top and bottom crust firmly with fingers on rim of pie plate; trim excess. With 4-tine fork press two crusts together firmly to seal. Sprinkle a pinch or two of white sugar all over top.

Bake in preheated oven (425°F for aluminum pan and 400°F for glass) for 30 minutes. Reduce heat by 25° and bake for 25-30 minutes longer until apples inside are bubbly.

To prevent rim of crust from browning too much, make 1 1/2-inch strips of aluminum foil, fold in half, and wrap over dough along edge of pie plate. Remove for last 10 minutes of cooking.