When I turned up at Melynda and Eric’s house one Sunday afternoon, I had no idea how much fun and foodlove was waiting for me.
Melynda told me in her e-mail that although her mother loved her children, she absolutely hated to cook. Yet her family still has some family recipes they cook together and pass down. Most importantly, they have an apple pie recipe…
Melynda’s apple pies not only taste incredible, she also makes them from apples given to her by apple-growing-friends. She takes the time to write the name of the friend (thus the orchard) on each pie before she sticks it in the freezer. Her family’s treasured recipe has expanded to include her friends in the tradition. How wonderful it is that!
When Melynda makes a pie, she doesn’t just make one, she makes several! This is a great time saver and a wonderful way to share pie-goodness with others. Here’s Melynda baking-it-up!
The story of the Dumpling Taste Off was also something I had to hear about…
Recipes and food bring us together in so many ways. Melynda and Eric’s love of food and the richness it adds to life is something I admire. Not only do they make the most of all the meat he hunts and savor the meals she cooks; they celebrate how timeless traditions keep us close and make good food taste even better.
Empty plate…yum.
Melynda, Me and Pie to go.
Freezer Envy! It’s so well-organized, full of apple pies and HUGE!
That Sunday I walked out of there with a pie, a cookbook, recipes, a full stomach and a wish come true (via Melynda’s wishbone collection She keeps the wishbones from the birds that Eric hunts. Thank you Mister Turkey wherever you are).
Melynda rates all of her recipes. Her family apple pie recipe is “star rated” and says “Absolute Favorite,” I couldn’t agree more!
Melynda’s Crust and Apple Pie:
Pie Crust:
Preheat oven to 450
Ingredients:
For one Single Crust:
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup shortening
Since Melynda makes a lot of pies at once, she doesn’t just triple her recipe, she figures out how to make six crusts at once.
For 6 single crusts:
3/4 cup water
3 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups shortening
How-to:
Cut in shortening (in flour) and then add water. Mix to a firm ball. Roll out on floured surface- place in pie pan. Poke with fork.
To cook, put in 450 over at 10-12 mins.
Apple Pie:
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon of oleo
1 tablespoon of cornstarch (more in juicy apples, less if not)
5-8 granny smith
Milk for top crust
How-to:
Fill crust with peeled and sliced apples, and all other ingredients (except milk). Top with crust. Spread milk on top crust. Bake at 425 for 15 mins. Reduce heat to 350 for 30-45 mins.
(if frozen, back at 425 for 30 mins and 350 for 1 hour)
Feather Dumplings – The winner of the Dumpling Taste Off!
Feather Dumplings – Star rated “Good with chicken noodle soup. Tried & true like mamaws!”
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon white or black pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 Tablespoon melted butter
2/3 cup milk
30 mins before soup is done, mix-up dry ingredients. Add egg, melted butter, and enough milk to make moist, stiff batter. Either roll out and cut in squares or drop by teaspoons in boiling soup. After drop, cook covered without unsealing for 18-20 minutes.
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