INGREDIENTS
- Basic pie crust
- 1 batch fruit filling
- 1/2 tbs. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a 13-inch circle. Fold into quarters, then fold out onto a baking sheet or a 10-inch pie plate. Chill while you make the filling.
Arrange the filling evenly in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the edges of the dough around the fruit to form the sides of the pie. Dot with butter, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the crust is lightly golden and the fruit is bubbling. Cool for 10 minutes and dust lightly with sugar before serving.
BASIC PIE CRUST
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 6 tbs. (3/4 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 2 tbs. cold vegetable shortening
- 3-4 tbs. ice water
DIRECTIONS Place flour, salt, butter, and shortening in a food processor and pulse for 30 seconds, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle ice water over the dough just begins to stick together (it will still be crumbly). Scrape out onto a large piece of plastic wrap, gather into a rough ball, and wrap in the plastic. Press into a flat, 1-inch disk (like a large burger) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
PLUM-BERRY PIE FILLING
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 pounds ripe plums or nectarines (or peeled peaches) peeled and sliced 1/4 thick
- 1 cup raspberries or blackberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbs. fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
- 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS Toss all ingredients in a bowl.
APRICOT PIE FILLING
INGREDIENTS
- 4 8-ounce cans apricot halves in heavy syrup, drained
- 2 tbs. sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS Toss all ingredients in a bowl. To form the pie, arrange the apricot halves cut-side down.
APPLE PIE FILLING
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 pounds apples, such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tbs. fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
- 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS Toss all ingredients in a bowl.
BLUEBERRY PIE FILLING
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbs. fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
- 2 tsp. finely grated fresh lemon zest
- 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
DIRECTIONS Toss all ingredients in a bowl.