10 Tips To Prepare A Great Tasting Apple Pie!
10 Tips To Prepare A Great Tasting Apple Pie!
Never be intimidated in baking apple pies. Whether you are an experienced cook or just a novice baker, you could always make great tasting apple pies by just keeping in mind the following tips and tricks.
1. As the name implies, apples remain the main ingredients of any apple pastry recipe. You are fortunate when you own apple orchards because you don’t have any problems getting fresh apples anytime.
But if you live far away from a good source of fresh apples, it is fine to buy them in your nearby supermarkets. Choose the Granny Smith ones because they create a wonderful flavor when blended with sugar & cinnamon.
Other apples that are great for apple pies are the Cortland and McIntosh apples. However, make sure that they are juicy and fresh.
2. Never overcook the base or crust. Baking delicious apple pies is challenging because you might overcook the base or crust and also its sides. However, solving this issue can be done by placing aluminum foil to secure the sides of your pan.
Avoid crumpling the aluminum foil because it reflects heat so it may result to undercooked edges. Another way to avoid this is to avail a side or edge shield from the nearby kitchen store. This side guard is positioned over the sides of your pan while baking.
3. Always taste or try the mixture. Whenever you combine the sugar or cinnamon, take a quick taste of the flavor of your pie mixture. Of course, you don’t wish to bake a bland pie. It will become your biggest failure.
4. If you’re preparing your pastry crust before pouring the filling or the stuffing, your pastry base or crust might blow up. After you have baked your pastry crust, place some dry or dehydrated beans under the base before putting it inside your oven.
In case you don’t have dehydrated beans, baking beads which you buy from supermarkets also serve the same purpose. This part is always critical but perfecting this will certainly result to better tasting and more appealing pies.
5. Having an abundant supply of juicy apples or fruits is always good. Whenever you intend to bake any apple based pastry, buy more than your usual estimate. In making real good pies, make sure to have a large portion of sweet apple filing inside your pie or pastry crust. Then extend the crest or top crust above the mass of sweet apple filing.
As you cook your pastry, you would see that the amount of your prepared apple filing will decrease. Your fresh and juicy apple filing actually reduces when it’s done so make sure to have lots of filling inside the delicious pastry. Otherwise, your pastry will only have some pieces of tasty apple filing.
6. As toppings or garnishing, you are allowed to use a sherbet or frozen fruit desserts and cookies. Just use your creativity. Slice the baked pie neatly then place one scoop of vanilla or pistachio sorbet over a serving and top it with one or two cookies or sprinkle it with chopped nuts or cinnamon powder.
7. Always make variations. Don’t just settle with your usual old-fashioned apple pastry recipe. For more variations, you are encouraged to search for new apple pastry recipes. Furthermore, you are also allowed to develop your own versions out of your traditional apple pie recipe.
8. In serving your baked apple pie, drizzle it with some caramel syrup. In case you don’t have any sorbet or frozen fruits, caramel will work just fine. In fact, caramel will bring more sweetness and flavor to any kind of delicious apple pie.
9. In case your fruits are already sweet and you opt to skip the sugar, add 1 tablespoon of lemon extract, shredded lemon pulp or zest plus two tablespoons of softened apple jam or jelly.
10. Presentation counts. Always do your best to create a great tasting pie along with your nice and appetizing crust. A classic design for a traditional pie base or crust always has slits over its vented crust.
Nevertheless, you are free to put more decorations on your pastry such as cutting out heart shapes from the crest or top shell. Be creative.