American Apple Pie

Directions

1. 1
   For the dough, mix flour, salt and butter (either by hand or using a food processor).
2. 2
   Mix until it looks like wet sand.
3. 3
   Add the ice water, just enough to make it a manageable dough that pulls away from sides of bowl.
4. 4
   Knead a little more on the work surface.
5. 5
   Divide dough in half. Form two balls and crush slightly.
6. 6
   Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
7. 7
   For the filling.
8. 8
   Peel and cut the apples into thick slices.
9. 9
   Soak apples in lemon juice to prevent from browning.
10. 10
    Sprinkle apples with spices, brown sugar, a pinch of salt and cornstarch.
11. 11
    Heat butter in a pan and cook for 5 minutes until the apples begin to soften and all the ingredients are well mixed.
12. 12
    Remove from heat and add the agave syrup and set aside.
13. 13
    Preheat the oven to 200°C (approximately 400°F).
14. 14
    Remove half of pastry dough from the refrigerator. Flatten half very fine with the rolling pin.
15. 15
    The dough should be around 3 mm (approximately 1/8 inch) thick.
16. 16
    Cover the inside and walls of the pan with the dough, leaving a little extra dough on the outside.
17. 17
    Fill with apple mixture, flattening with a spoon. Sprinkle with lemon zest.
18. 18
    Take the other half of the pastry dough from the refrigerator, roll it flat with the rolling pin and cover the pie.
19. 19
    Seal the pie by pressing together the edges of the two layers of dough and cutting away the excess.
20. 20
    Shape remaining dough into decorations for top of pie.
21. 21
    Paint the surface with a little milk.
22. 22
    Bake at 200°C (approximately 400°F) for 50-60 minutes or until the surface is golden brown.
23. 23
    Eat warm.
24. 24
    Serving suggestion: serve with vanilla ice cream or custard cream.