Come Bake With Grandma
What began as a group of friends cooking together remotely during the pandemic has turned into one of our favourite blog topics. The premise is simple: create a three-course menu that features Ambrosia apples in each dish. Home cooks can choose their recipes from the Ambrosiaapples.ca website, and can substitute anything they want on any of the recipes – or create their own — but all the dishes must include Ambrosia apples.
Our next entry is from Gerry and her adorable granddaughter, Ellie. Gerry didn’t create a three-course menu, but she did create some lasting memories with Ellie, and a delicious Ambrosia apple pie!
Gerry’s pie crust is quite famous with her family and friends, because it is always deliciously light and flakey. We asked her for her secret, and she says: “Use very cold water and don’t overwork the dough.” She loves using Ambrosia apples in her apple pie. “They are so sweet that you don’t need any sugar, I just add a teaspoon to get a little caramelization. Also, the Ambrosias stand up really well, and still have a little crunch after baking.” Gerry was kind enough to include her recipe:
Grandma Gerry’s Ambrosia Apple Pie
Preheat oven to 375.
- 1 – 1/2 cups flour
- 2/3 cup chilled shortening
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3- 4 tablespoons cold water
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- Sift flour and salt together in mixing bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the consistency of small peas. Add very cold water until pastry just holds together.
- Form a ball and cut in half. Handle as little as possible. Roll out bottom and top crust to size of pie plate. Line bottom of pie plate with crust, brush sides with milk.
- 7 medium or 5 large Ambrosia apples, peeled and cut in chunks
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Mix apples, sugar and spice. Pour into pie shell, cover with top crust. Pinch top and bottom crust together as you flute the edges. Brush top with milk, use fork to poke holes on top to let steam escape. Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Gerry loves spending time with her 18-month-old granddaughter, and really enjoyed the experience of baking with her, even though Ellie was more interested in the fresh apple than the pie. “Ellie loves Ambrosia apples, and really enjoys biting into it, but she was happy to get her hands dirty.” A future baker in the making? Maybe! A life-long Ambrosia apple lover? Most definitely!