A Homemade Life: Dried Fruit Pie

So far my biggest complaint about A Homemade Life is that it is very dessert heavy.  Don't get me wrong, I adore dessert, but making one every night means my house is full of more sweets than we can handle.  So when I noticed that a chapter had not one, but two pie recipes in it, I felt like last weekend, when we had two parties to go to, was the perfect excuse to make them.  That way I could bring them to parties and everyone could enjoy them, instead of Thatboy and I trying to finish two pies by ourselves.

The first party of the weekend was a barbeque held in our honor.

It was so unbelievably beyond perfect.  You see, we didn't really want a shower - and we have everything we need for Oppo-baby.  But this wasn't a shower, it was a family party!  You see, the hosts of the party were Lexus's parents.  And the guests were the families of Thatkid's old daycare friends.  Our little group.  It was a like a playdate for the kids and parents!

 

The youngest members of the group, the round 2s are still babes in arms.  Thatkid and his friends tore around the house, playing pirates, monsters, and dig-in-the-mud.

Meanwhile the grownups, got a chance to catch up and chat with each other.  And we got loads of good advice about adding a second into our brood.  I really am so very thankful for Thatkid's experience in daycare/preschool and the wonderful people we've met through there.  Both the sweet kids and their wonderful parents.

It only seemed right to share this pie with them.  Dried fruit may not be a common filling, but right now I feel like I'm making loads of things with dried fruit.  I have dried fruit dishes in my freezer, fridge, and on my counter right now.  As I was commenting to Thatboy earlier, there's something about it that makes you feel like you're eating something healthy, even when there is the addition of chocolate, sugar, or other unhealthy ingredients.

Dried Fruit Pie (From A Homemade Life)

1/2 cup ice water

1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

3 cups flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 sticks cold butter, cut into cubes

2 cups pitted prunes, coarsley chopped

2 cups dried apricots, coarsely chopped

1 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup dried apples, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 egg

1. In a measuring cup combine the ice water and the cider vinegar.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse to blend.
3. Add the 2 1/2 sticks of cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
4. With the motor running, slowly add the water-vinegar mixture and process just until moist clumps form.
5. Turn the dough out onto a wooden board or clean countertop and gather it until it just holds together.  Shape into a ball, cut in half, and press each half into a disk.  Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
6. Combine the dried fruits in a large saucepan, and add cold water to cover.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Drain the fruit well in a colander and return to the saucepan.
7. Add sugar and melted butter.  Stir well.  Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally. 
8. Preheat oven to 425.  Roll 1 disk of the dough into a circle wide enough for a 9-9 1/2 inch pie plate.  Transfer gently into the pie plate.
9. Roll out the second disk of dough into a circle about the same size.
10.  Stir the chopped walnuts into the cooled filling.  
11. Scrape the filling into the prepared pie plate, distributing it evenly.  
12. Place the second circle of dough atop the filled pie, and fold and pinch the edges over the bottom crust to seal completely and form a high fluted rim.
13. In a small bowl, beat the egg with a fork and brush lightly over the top and rim of the pie.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Reduce heat to 375 and bake for an additional 10 minutes.