My laptop died about a week ago. For the first couple of days I felt completely cut off from the world, despite having a phone that gives me access to Facebook, Twitter and basically the entire internet. I don’t keep a lot of information on my computer, I’ve heard enough identity theft horror stories to know better. I do however keep pictures on it. Lots of them. And I never backed them up. My trips to San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, and a few random moments in life are all currently in limbo. I know, I know, I should have backed them up, I promise I’ll never make that mistake again. My brother says he might be able to salvage them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
The loss of these momentos had me very stressed, but I realized there was more to my computer withdrawal than that. I missed blogging. I haven’t been doing this very long, but it seems it’s become an important part of my life. So I decided to pick up a pen and some loose leaf paper and start writing up posts to be retyped once everything was sorted out. I’m probably dating myself by saying this, but there is something very soothing about actually putting my thoughts on paper. I think better with a pen in my hand; I can chew on the cap when I’m stuck, cross things out, draw arrows linking thoughts. I think I might actually keep writing my posts this way. I know it’s a waste of time and paper, but I find it relaxing.
You know what else I find relaxing? Apple pie.
I love the feeling of the dough coming together in my hands, the sense of accomplishment when I roll it into something that resembles a circle, the meditative time spent peeling the apples, and putting my face up to the oven window to watch it brown and bubble. Don’t even get me started on the smell of cinnamon and apples. And the best part, the first bite of crispy flaky crust and the sweet yet tart filling.
Apple Pie
Crust
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cups butter, cold
- 1/4 cup shortening or lard
- 1 tsp salt
- 6-10 tbsp milk, cold (more as needed)
Filling
- 5 Cortland apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- Make the dough. Put the flour and salt in a large bowl. Using a box grater, grate the cold butter and shortening into the flour. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until it has a crumbly texture. Stir in 5 tbsp of cold milk, keep adding milk until the dough comes together.
- Form dough into 2 disks, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Once chilled, roll out one disk until about 1/4 inch thick. Fit the dough into a 9 inch pie plate. Chill.
- Make the filling. Toss the apples with the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, flour and cranberries. Pour into pie plate.
- Roll out second disk of dough. Place over the pie plate, cut off the excess overhang. Press the edges of the top and bottom crust together making sure the are sealed. Cut air vents into the top crust. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 375. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Enjoy!
What She's Having 
Lynn… I’m so sorry about your computer! And moreso about the photos. I’d be absolutely crushed if I lost my pictures. Hopefully you will be able to salvage them.
This pie, however, looks absolutely amazing. Great job.
apple pie is as comforting as it gets–i know it must have relieved most of your laptop related stress. lovely pie, i want a piece! :)
I’m sorry about your computer, I would be a stressed mess about all the pictures as well. I’m crossing my fingers your brother will be able to recover them!
Great looking pie, apple is one of my all-time favorites especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Oh boy! I really hope hen can get your pictures back. It happened to me once…it was a disaster, I not only lost pictures but also a whole bunch of work I had done for 3 restaurants in NY (I’m a Graphic Designer) I was crying for a week. But now I got a time machine thingy running with my computer. Your apple pie looks stunning, the crust looks so crunch and yummy.
Looks great! I love the cut-out in the middle :)
How did you like the half butter/half lard combo?
It was good, but I think I either overworked the dough or it wasn’t thin enough because it wasn’t very flaky.
OH NO! I will keep my fingers crossed that you can recover your photos. That’s one beautiful looking pie!
I hope everything works out with your computer. I’ve been in that situation before and I know it can be stressful. Luckily there’s apple pie. I’m definitely on a simple food binge.
Hi… just wanted to say how much I love your blog and great pics. It’s no brilliant to see people from all over the world making fabulous food! I look forward to enjoying the journey with you x
I hate when technology breaks or fails. It reminds me of just how addicted I am to it! This pie looks delicious and definitely relaxing…the perfect fix :)
I’m really sorry about your computer and I hope that you can retrieve your pictures. I actually am waiting for a new external drive to be delivered for this reason. I got a La Cie. I’ll let you know how it is.
The pie looks great. How did you get the crust so perfect. It’s been so long since I’ve had an apple pie–you’ve inspired me.
I’d love to hear what you think of your new hard drive, thanks El!
Wow!!!! If only I wasn’t on a diet!!!!!
Looks absolutely delicious!!!!
I’m so sorry about your computer crashing…what a frustrating experience. But as a writer with a penchant for a paper and a pen, I completely understand the joy you discovered by writing things out the old fashioned way! Thank you for sharing this pie with us (one of my favorites). Thank you also for the kind words on my blog…your thoughts are so appreciated!
I am so sorry about your laptop. Somehow we all manage to do that- not back up our files. It is so painful on so many levels ranging from guilt to just shear sadness. Hopefully some things will be recovered. And if not, you will always have the memories in your heart. And yes, the apple pie looks incredibly comforting.
That looks amazing! Beautiful photo!