Low Key Holiday Party

A family friend and new mom invited a small group to her place for a wonderfully low-key holiday party. She offered pie and coffee with tea lights and classical music in the background. It was great to sit and talk and take a break from the “too muchness” of the season.

Raise a pie pan and toast your friends this New Year: champagne is a treat—but warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream is even better!

Recipe adapted from The Williamsburg Cookbook (1971)

Ingredients:

Two 9-inch whole wheat frozen pie crusts (I like the Wholly Wholesome brand)

5 to 6 Granny Smith apples

1 cup of sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons of cold butter, cut into small pieces

½ teaspoon lemon juice

Process:

Thaw the pie crusts on a kitchen counter while you work.

Peel and core the Granny Smith apples. Cut them into slices approximately ¼-inch thick and place in a large ceramic bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix together the sugar, flour and spices. Toss into the apples and stir to coat them evenly. Prick the bottom of one of the pie crusts with a fork. Spoon the apple mixture into the crust, creating a high mound in the center. Dot the pie with butter and sprinkle with lemon juice. Invert the remaining pie crust over the first like a cap and gently pull off the aluminum pie plate. Crimp the top and bottom crusts with your fingers. With a sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut a pretty shape on the pie top. Next cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil

Place the pie on a cookie sheet lined with more foil to catch drips. Bake at 425 for 25 to 30 minutes, then remove the foil cover and bake for 20 minutes more or until the top is brown and the apples have softened.

Remove and let sit for 15 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream flavored with a dash of vanilla and sugar.

Theme and Variations:

• If you live in the Silver Spring area, try this pie with ginger or cinnamon ice cream from York Castle Ice Cream on Georgia Avenue.

• This recipe calls for Granny Smith apples which are sharp and tart; if you prefer a sweeter apple, try Courtland or Gala apples and reduce the sugar by ½ cup.