APPLE PIE

This sweet, crisp pastry pie packed with apples is the ultimate comfort food.

INGREDIENTS

• 30g unsalted butter
• 1kg Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 lemon, rind grated, juiced
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 egg, beaten, to brush

Pastry

• 350g (3 1/4 cups) plain flour
• 175g unsalted butter, chilled
• 75g (1/2 cup) icing sugar
• 1 egg, beaten

• METHOD

  • 1
    To make the pastry, place the flour, butter and sugar in a food processor with a pinch of salt. Process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg and 2 tablespoons chilled water, then process until the mixture comes together to form a smooth ball. Divide into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, place butter in a large saucepan, add apples, scraped vanilla bean and seeds, sugar and lemon rind and juice. Cook over low heat for 6-8 minutes until just starting to soften. Mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into apple mixture. Cook for 1 minute. Remove vanilla bean, strain apples over a colander and discard juices.
  • 3
    Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 19 x 5cm fluted loose-bottomed tart pan. Roll larger piece of pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line base and sides of pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Line the pastry shell with baking paper and fill with rice or pastry weights.
  • 4
    Bake for 10 minutes. Remove paper and weights and return to oven for 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Pile apples into pastry. Roll out remaining pastry and press onto top of pie, using your fingers to crimp the edges, making sure edges are well sealed. Use any excess pastry to make decorative pattern for the lid. Brush top with egg, bake for 25 minutes or until cooked and golden. Rest for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Serve with vanilla custard.