Since most packages of refrigerated dough have two rounds, you could easily increase the filling and make two at a time. Wrap one very tightly in plastic wrap after it cools, then freeze it. Reheat and serve it in the near future.
SERVES 6–8
Can’t find your favorite pie dish but still crave homemade apple pie? Me too. Well, apple crostada it is!
1 refrigerated 9-inch piecrust (the rollout kind)
3 to 4 Granny Smith apples (to make 4 cups), peeled and cut in 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon each lemon zest and juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Place the piecrust on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the apples, lemon zest and juice, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, salt, and nutmeg. Pour filling into the center of the piecrust, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the 2-inch border up over the apples to form a crust.
Brush the crust with the egg and sprinkle on sugar.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.
Serve with vanilla ice cream and a shower of toasted nuts, garnished with mint.
STOP FLAPPING YOUR GUMS
One of the keys to fabulousness is maintaining an air of mystery. You don’t need to tell your guests about every little money-saving trick. For example, when it comes to baking a pie, I’ll occasionally get a store-bought crust. (Shhh. Let’s keep that between us.) I just customize it to make it look more homemade. Here’s how to do it.
1. Buy a frozen crust made with butter.
2. Let it thaw.
3. Cut off the machine-made edge with a paring knife.
4. Carefully remove the remaining crust from the pie tin, and lay it in your own cute pie dish.
5. Patch any cracks with water.
6. Crimp the edges with your fingers so it looks homemade.
7. Bake.
8. When your guests tell you the crust is great, say, “Thank you!”
Since most packages of refrigerated dough have two rounds, you could easily increase the filling and make two at a time. Wrap one very tightly in plastic wrap after it cools, then freeze it. Reheat and serve it in the near future.