Apple Crumb Pie - from Jean Resler
Apple Crumb Pie - Christmas 2010
4 large tart apples1/2 cup sugar
1/2 recipe plain pastry3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar1/3 cup butter (1 stick is 1/2 cup)
1 tsp cinnamon 

Pare apples, cut in small enough pieces so they cook quickly (if the apples are large). Otherwise, cut in eighths. Arrange in 9 inch pastry-lined pie pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar mixed with cinnamon. Sift remaining 1/2 cup sugar with flour; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples. Bake in hot oven (450 degrees F, or about 200 degrees C) 10 minutes, then in moderate oven (350 degrees F (150 degrees C) about 40 minutes or until apples are tender.

Plain Pastry

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening (e.g. margarine)
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water.

Sift flour and salt, add shortening. Cut in with pastry lender or blending fork until the pieces are the size of small peas. Add cold water by teaspoonfuls tossing with a fork until the flour-coated bits of fat are barely dampened. Turn a mixture onto a square of waxed paper. Gather up corners, pressing from the outside to form a compact ball. Divide for lower and upper crust. Chill for easier handling. Roll out and put into pie pan.