Grated Apple Pie

Who doesn't love pie? This entirely homemade* version is quick to bake, and will definitely impress your guests. The grated apples give the pie a non-traditional look.

*If, like me, you had never really made your own pie dough before, this easy dough recipe will convince you that is it not worth buying a pre-cooked crust. All you need is a manual pastry blender.

Dough

• ¾ cup flour
• ¼ ts salt
• 2 oz cold butter, diced
• 1 egg, beaten
• cold water

1.     Using a manual pastry blender (or your fingers) mix the flour, salt and butter until it reaches pea-size pieces.

2.     Add the egg, and mix until the dough comes together. 

3.     If the dough is too dry and will not come together, add a teaspoon of water. Repeat, as needed.

4.     Shape the dough into a ball and refrigerate (in a plastic wrap) for at least 30 minutes.

5.     Before rolling the dough, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

6.     Roll the dough on a floured surface, place in your pie dish, and cut off the extra dough.

Filling (largely inspired by a recipe from Ricardo)

• 3 large McIntosh Apples, grated (approx. 3 cups)
• 2 tbs lemon juice
• ¾ cups of sugar or 3/4 cups of maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (if using sugar)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

1.     Heat the oven to 375 F.

2.     Peel and grate the apples. Mix the lemon juice with the grated apples right away.

3.     If using the sugar, mix sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch in a bowl.

4.     Incorporate the sugar mixture to the apples.

5.     Pour the apples in the crust. Even out.

6.     Cook for 50 minutes.

If using the maple syrup, skip step 2 and 3 and instead mix the cornstarch and maple syrup directly with the apples. I did not use cinnamon with the maple syrup.