I've literally been hibernating.
After seriously being overworked and underpaid, smarting because of severe cold and just general laziness ,all my resolutions of putting off less than what I can... is out of the frozen windows.
Then I wanted to spend some time with the parents.
And the trains were running later than late.
So being here at home with the parents is great.
General laziness and healthy, low fat , low on spice food and a whole lot of TLC was on offer.
And one low fat and high on goodness apple pie for mom.
My mom is absolutely in love with apple pies ...Owing to her high blood pressure medications she avoids even looking at them on the display counters.
So this time the effort was to make a wholesome apple pie that she could enjoy.
And that would be crisp and sweet and at least not leave any guilt when the parents enjoy the pie.
We made it with whole wheat flour or atta and olive oil and flax seeds and walnuts...So totally high on the good health meter.
for theApple Pie in Whole Wheat, flax seed and Olive Oil Crust #HappyNewYear
you need
for the pie crust
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp ground flax seed
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
60 gms butter cut into tiny cubes
3 tbsp olive oil ...approx 45 mils
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3-4 tbsp ice cold water
pinch salt
for the apples
5-6 crisp apples
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp flour
100 gms walnuts(we used candied walnuts , so we added no sugar)
3-5 tsp sugar-optional
fist full of raisins/currants
zest of a lemon/orange we used kinnow
Start with the flour. Sift it a couple of times with the baking powder.
I used a medium borosil glass-240 mils-1 cup!
In a large bowl, place the flour, sugar, cinnamon,salt and mix. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, mix in the butter and olive oil to look like poor country cousins of lush breadcrumbs.
Knead the dough lightly with the ice cold water. Wrap in cling film. Remember to not knead the dough like you knead your bread dough. Just bring it together and pop into the fridge. About 1/2 hour or so.
Dampen your work top and spread some film. Place the dough over and cover with more film and roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/3 inch.
Lift the top layer of film and place the rolled dough in a pie dish...remember to brush with some butter or oil...this dough barely contains enough fat...it may become difficult to bring the pie out.Cut the excess and crimp the dough using your fork. Also make holes...prick with a fork.
Set your oven to 180C on preheat. Place some 250 gms baking beans in foil and pop into the oven for 15-20 minutes.-I use beans that I bought but no one ate...
In the mean while chop the apples, add the accouterments-walnuts, lemon juice ,flour etc and keep them ready.
I love this gadget...pretty nifty for lazy bums like me!
OK, stuff...you can chop the apples smaller if you don't like domed pies and press down on the fruit hard...The flour binds the juices of the apples and makes for a syrupy base...yum!
OK, pie base out...lift the foil and brush with an egg white or milk and pop in for another 5 minutes.
Out of the oven...
Pile on the fruit and then ...
Top with a the remaining dough rolled out a little thinner and with holes cut to let the steam out...
Brush with milk or egg white and pop into the oven at 180C for 50 minutes to an hour...
And out and sliced...The crust is crispy and sweet and the whole house smelled of cinnamon...
So happy mum!
Walnut and flax and raisins and whole wheat and low on sugar ...so happy dad!
A lot of wholesomeness and a lot of love...Absolutely worth every bite.The pie tastes really good after it has cooled down. Perfect with a cup of coffee...
For those times when you know you cant indulge but you really want to... you know!So what are you baking today???
