Apple Pie

Everyone needs a good Apple Pie recipe; this is mine (from a Donna Hay cookbook).

Shortcrust Pastry
2 cups plain flour
3 tablespoons caster sugar
150g cold butter
water

Process flour, sugar and butter in food processor until fine crumbs form. Then with motor running, add enough water so that the dough starts to come together. Form a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Filling
6-8 granny smith apples
water
sugar (optional)
lemon juice
cinnamon
almond meal

Peel apples and cut into eight. Heat in pan with a splash of water until just tender.
Drain then cool. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar if desired, plus a dash of cinnamon.

Use 2/3 of your pastry for the base; roll out and line greased pie tin. Sprinkle almond meal over the base (soaks up extra liquid), then pack in the apples. Roll out the remaining pastry and place over the pie. Press edges together, trim excess. Then brush pie with a little milk or egg and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for approx 30 mins in 190C oven. Serve with cream or ice cream.