Monday, July 01, 2013

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: Favorite Recipe

The beginning of July means a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post!
This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
What are your favorite recipes? Simple ones, difficult ones, BBQ, crock pot, patinas...?! Feel free to add a story about the success or failure of them.
This recipe's history with me is very bittersweet (oh, but the pie is only sweet. Sweet deliciousness in epic proportions). I was introduced to it by a really good friend. Well, a really good friend at the time. One who would suddenly up and disappear out of my life, basically overnight, taking herself and this recipe with her without a second look.

I spent months trying to figure out what the Hell happened to this once amazing friendship. Then while wallowing, I realized that not only did she steal away out of my life without a care but she took this damn recipe with her. I spent months. Seriously... months searching for it online. Doing every kind of Google search imaginable using search terms that only the best tongue twister could conjure up. Then one day, one glorious day, I found it. I found the Holy Granny Smith Grail of pie recipes. HA! Take that "friend..."

Okay, enough negativity. I don't want to jade you on what could be one of the BEST apple pies you will ever taste. All I want you to remember about this pie is the very first bite you take. Savor that sweet, unmatchable moment. It is a moment that you may just carry with you from here and throughout the rest of your days. And yes. It has pineapple juice in it. Even if you don't like pineapples (for the record, I do not care for the prickly fruit) don't let that stop you from making this masterpiece. I swear, it is worth it. Now go buy some apples.

I do want to mention that I have switched a bit here and there from the original "friend's" recipe. But I am not going to say what I did. Just know that I made this recipe my own; and better. Only she would know the change I made. And that is all I am saying...


Texas Apple Pie

5 to 6 apples (I use granny smith)
1 unbaked double pie crust (I use store bought...)
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c. pineapple juice
3 Tbsp. flour
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg

Glaze:
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. evaporated milk

Pare, core and thinly slice (I mean, very thin) 5 to 6 apples. Arrange in an unbaked pie crust. Beat the softened butter, gradually add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add beaten egg and mix well. Add pineapple juice (yes! pineapple juice), flour, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well and pour over apples. Cover with top crust and vent. Brush with a glaze made of 1 Tbsp. brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. evaporated milk. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or longer until apples are tender. I like my apples to be soft and fully cooked in any apple pie. I test the doneness of the apples through the slits on top of the crust by poking them with a sharp knife. If there is any resistance, I keep baking the pie, testing doneness every 5 minutes or so. Serve pie warm with ice cream. Or without. Just be prepared to bake several of these pies for friends and relatives once they taste it. You will be responsible for bringing pie for any holiday or special occasion from here on out. You're welcome.


Want to discover more? Check out other EtsyMetal members' favorite recipes:

KSkilesJewelry (post coming soon!)

Peculiar Forest

Laura Jane Bouton

Andrea Ring

Abella Blue