Laughing Duck: A long weekend is always welcome

We spent time in Grass Valley to the firehouse. Although the weather was rainy and overcast it was welcome. We kicked around, watched movies, ate black bean stew and relaxed. I did a few chores in between finishing Wonky Log Cabin II. Here's a glance a the pieced top.

For your memory here's Wonky Log Cabin I.

Doesn't it look terrific now the fireman's great grandparents bed? A little old meets new but because I so fond of vintage styled fabrics it works.
Then we came home and I had to make this.

Apple Pie
Two 12-inch pie dough circles

6 cups sliced tart, firm apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2-inch thick (about 7 large apples)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon unbleached, all-purpose flour

1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Line the pie pan with one of the dough circle. Press the dough into the sides of the pan and trim to 1/2-inch of the rim of the pan.

Place the sliced apples in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, salt and flour then toss together. Pile them into to the dough-lined pan. Dot the apples with the butter. Lay the top dough over apples and fold the edge of the top dough under the bottom dough and crimp edges with a fork . Cut 5-6 slits in top crust as a steam vents.

Chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until the dough is firm.

Position the oven rack to the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350˚F. Bake for 60-70 minutes until crust is golden and apples are tender when tested with a skewer or long thin knife blade.

My Butter Crust

Pie Dough

Makes one 12-inch pie dough circle

1 1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter

3 tablespoons cold water

In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the cold butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or in the standing mixer until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal with butter pieces no bigger then peas. Add the water and mix until dough just pulls together. Pat into a ball and flatten in preparation for rolling out.

Flickr