Apple pie is perfect in winter. And in summer, spring & autumn too, but especially in winter. Lots of warm, winter-time spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice. Add some custard or vanilla ice cream, and you have perfect comfort food.
I got home from work on Tuesday with an almost frantic need to bake something. So I stopped by the market for two humongous Bramley apples, made some shortcrust pastry (sugar, flour, butter, water), cooked & ate my dinner while I let the pastry chill in the fridge, added my apples soaking in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & allspice to my pastry lined pie dish, then put this bad boy in the oven.
The pastry was soft and thick and flaky, though the bottom layer was a bit soggy, and I was a little overenthusiastic with my cinnamon, to the joy of one flatmate who loves the stuff, but it was delicious.
My flatmates were very happy. And I loved my cold apple pie the next day in my lunch-box. Between the four of my flatmates, the pie didn't even last a whole day before disappearing. The best kind of compliment for a cook.
Happy winter baking,
student_gourmand
