2750. APPLE PIE with CHEDDAR CRUST and BACON STREUSEL

Filling
6 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice and set aside. Pour water into a Dutch oven over medium heat. Combine the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Add to water, stir well, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the apple slices, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the apples are tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Bacon Streusel
10 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into pieces

In a large skillet, cook the bacon pieces over medium-low heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper plate to drain. Pour off the bacon drippings, and wipe out the skillet with another paper towel. Return the bacon to the pan. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of the brown sugar over the bacon and cook over medium-low heat until the sugar is melted and has coated the bacon pieces. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a baking sheet and chop it into bits. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, and the remaining 4 tablespoons of brown sugar. Add the butter pieces and mix together with a fork until crumbly. Stir in the bacon bits.

Cheddar Crust (makes two crusts)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup ice water

Process flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add butter; pulse until pea-size lumps appear. Pulse in cheese. With processor running, add ice water; process just until dough comes together. Turn dough out; gather into a block and split in two. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Dough can be frozen up to 3 weeks. Roll out one dough round and transfer to a pie plate. Fill with apple goodness and top with bacon streusel. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 30-35 minutes, until the apples are quite tender and the topping is bubbling and crisp. If the topping is browning too quickly or too much, cover it with foil. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before cutting.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Suzanna Winter, Galley Kitchen, December 15, 2010