I continue to appreciate Linda's rural roots when it comes to holiday cooking. Here is her mom's simple recipe for a "cook in the shell" apple crumb pie. We had this with a little ice cream at Thanksgiving ... yum!

Apple Crumb Pie

For the filling

9" Pie Shell - homemade or store bought
4 large tart apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

For the topping

1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup butter

Peel and pare the apples and arrange in a 9" pastry-lined pie pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar mixed with the 1 tsp of cinnamon evenly over the apples. Sift 1/2 cup of sugar with the 3/4 cup of flour and cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the apples and bake in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F for about 40 minutes until apples are tender.

December 18, 2002