Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Evolution of my Apple Tree


I have lived in my current home for FIVE years and it was only this spring that I realized I have an apple tree in the back yard that grows edible apples. I always thought they looked too small and too green to be edible. Apparently, I only really look at them when they're not ripe yet. One day, my friend, Stephanie, came over and said, "You have an apple tree? I'm so jealous!" She walked over to the tree, picked an apple and took a big bite. "STOP!" I told her. "I don't think those apples are edible." She told me I was crazy and that they were delicious. I must be stupid, I think, not crazy. Who's ever heard of a poisonous-tiny-green-apple tree? I have been missing out all these years!


*March


*May


*July






I love having a fruit tree. Free produce that's organic and delicious and (did I mention)FREE! It makes me want to plant a garden. It also makes me feel safer knowing that my family will have fresh fruit to eat when "the big earthquake" hits and we're living back in the dark ages, living off our emergency food storage. You never know...

Heather's Favorite Apple Pie Recipe

Dough Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tps fine salt
3 tbsp granulated white sugar
12 tbsp butter (cubed, cold/frozen)
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Dough Instructions:
Freeze butter. Place mixer bowl and paddle in freezer as well.
Mix flour, salt, and sugar until mixed then add butter a little at a time. Add water 1 tbsp at a time. Stop adding water as soon as the dough comes together (it will form small, pea sized balls). Do not add too much water or your dough will be slimy. When it comes together sotp working it, otherwise the dough will get over-worked and tough. Divide the dough in half and flatten it slightly to form a disk shape. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 min (while you make the filling). On a floured surface, roll each disk out into a 10 - 11 inch circle to make a 9 inch pie.


Filling Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
6 - 8 medium tart cooking apples, pared, cored and thinly sliced
3 tbsp butter, cubed


Filling Instructions:
Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix with apples. Divide pastry dough in half. Roll to 1/8 inch thickness and line 9 inch pie plate. Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter. Roll out remaining dough and place on top of pie. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400 F for 50 min.

5 comments:

Ruth said...

Your not stupid. I think you just watched Snow white one too many times. Uh when do I get a pie?

jenn (+ will) said...

so awesome heather! thanks for the recipe!

Sarah said...

You are too cute! We have an avocado tree and I love it.

Melany said...

look at you being all domestic! we have an apple tree too in our "backyard" but they're tiny stupid crab apples. i'm so impressed with your pie making skills! and wendy looks cute as always as your little helper.

Beth said...

Yummmm! They are the best tasting apples. So funny that you didn't know.

PS
Everyone loved the Apple Cobbler I made in the dutch oven on our neighborhood camping trip...from your home grown apples. Thanks for sharing!