The Perfect Flaky Pie Crust, Apple Cardamom Pie, The Ultimate Oregon Thanksgiving Recipes Roundup

Just in case you were wondering, the Northwest is awesome and full of amazing produce, farmers, and all things food. That is why we are bringing you to The Ultimate Oregon Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup. A few of my fellow Portland area bloggers and I were asked to join in a radio talk show this Sunday from nine to eleven morning on KPAM 860, hosted by Missy Maki Simple Kitchen. She has put this together so we can share our tips and tricks to make your Holiday season tastier and easier. Being that I am a baker I decided to do a pie. Also this being not just baked, I naturally offered to do a savory dish as well. I love them both! Check out my recipe for Maple Mashed Yams with Toasted Walnuts.

Here is a list of the lovely ladies joining in all the fun:

Our host Missy Maki from Missymakicooks.com, and radio show host on Simple Kitchen KPAM 860 Sundays nine to eleven am.
Rebekah Hubbard from Pdxfoodlove.com
Carrie Cowan from Swellkid.com
Mary Crowe from Maryeats.com
Lindsay Strannigan from Rosemarried.com
Kim Demmon from Todayscreativeblog.net
Sala Kannan from Veggiebelly.com
Brandi Kajino from Spoonandsaucer.com

We were also featured in an article about this on the front page of Food Day in the Oregonian newspaper. Which is so cool and a big deal to us! I love what I do and that I am able to share all that I have learned in school and working in the industry by writing this blog. I am grateful for this awesome opportunity that Missy has provided for us. It is going to be so fun and I hear mimosas are involved. So tune in Sunday morning!

There are some things I have learned over the years in culinary school and talking with pastry chefs and bakers that make pie making happy times and not stressful times. Here are a few of those tips to make pie life easier.

READ THESE, DO NOT SKIP, THEY HELP, A LOT!

Keep all ingredients super duper cold.
Place the oven rack on the very bottom. This helps aid in the baking of the bottom crust. Prevents soggy pies.
Place pie pan/dough in freezer while prepping pie filling and dough.
Read through the entire recipe before you begin, it helps get a sense of how things will flow.

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoon orange juice

2 teaspoons orange zest

1/2 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 pounds apples, cored, chopped, you can leave the skin on if you like

For the Dough:

makes 9 inch pie crust

6 oz , approx 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 oz unsalted butter, very cold, cubed

2-4 oz cold water

1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water for egg wash

extra sugar and salt for sprinkles right before baking

Preheat oven 425 degrees

Method for the Filling:

1. Place flour, sugar, juice, zest, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl, mix to combine. Add apples, toss to combine,

For the Dough:

1. In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle, or a bowl, place the flour, sugar, salt, whisk to combine. Add butter and turn mixer on to low to combine butter until small pea sized chunks. If using hands, rub butter into flour until pea sized chunks are formed.

2. Once you have created small peas sized chunks of butter, gradually add the water on low. If using hand, add water, and use a spatula to gently combine. It will be crumbly.

3. Place dough onto lightly floured counter. Bring together gently using your hands. It will be crumbly, but if it isn’t coming together like below, add a teaspoon of water until it comes together. Wrap up in plastic wrap and place in fridge for 15 minutes.

4. Take dough out of fridge, place on lightly floured counter. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Fold into thirds. Place in plastic wrap again and into fridge for 15 minutes. Take dough out and roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Fold into thirds and place into fridge.

5. Take dough out of fridge. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness round, or as close as possible. To see if your circle is big enough, take your pie pan and place it on the dough. You will need about 2 extra inches all around. Place a rolling pin on one side of the dough, roll the dough around the rolling pin. Lift the dough to place over the pie pan.

6. Gently lift and snuggle the dough into the corners of the pan. Press gently down on the edge where the sides meet the bottom of the pan. Take a small sharp knife cut off the excess dough to get the 2 inches you will need to make the crust. Set aside extras.

7. To make the crust pretty take the 2 inch piece of dough, fold it over onto itself to make a 1 inch piece and press down gently on the fold. This makes a naturally next fold to keep going with. Do this until finished all around the crust. If you need more crust, or make a hole by accident, don’t worry. Use the extra you have set aside to patch any holes.

8. Dock the bottoms and sides of dough with a fork. Gently place all of the apples or filing into the pie crust. Brush egg wash on all sides of the crust. Sprinkle the top of the pie and the crust with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Place in the oven to bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.