APPLE PIE, THE FRENCH WAY

Steps:

• Have the pie crust dough ready.
• Roll out 2/3 of the pastry to form a 12 inch circle and line a 9 inch pie plate with it.
• Refrigerate with remaining pastry.
• To make custard: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup sugar and the flour; mix well.
• Stir in milk.
• bring to a boil, stirring; reduce heat; simmer, stirring until slightly thickened, approx.
• 1 min.
• or so.
• In a bowl, beat 3 egg yolks slightly.
• Beat some of the hot mixture into yolks.
• Pour back into the saucepan, stirring.
• Add 1 tablespoon butter and the vanilla.
• Turn into a bowl to cool.
• Apple filling: Core, pare and slice the apples, sprinkle with lemon juice.
• In a skillet, heat the butter with the sugar and nutmeg.
• Add the apples; saute, stirring occasionally.
• Cook until almost tender- about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Melt apricot preserves in a little saucepan and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 425F.
• Assembly: Pour the custard into the pie shell, spreading evenly.
• Arrange the apple slices on top, mounding slightly in the center and only adding a little of the juices released from cooking them.
• Spread with the melted apricot preserves.
• Roll out the rest of the pastry dough to make a 10 inch circle.
• Cut into 12 strips, 1/2 inch wide.
• Moisten the edge of the pastry shell with a little water.
• Arrange six pastry strips across the filling; press ends to rim of pie shell; trim ends if necessary.
• Arrange rest of strips at a right angle to the first strips, to form a lattice.
• Bring overhang of the pastry up over ends of strips; crimp edge.
• Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water and brush on pastry.
• Bake 40 minutes, or until golden.