Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Homemade Blueberry Pie

You can create a savory homemade blueberry pie that tastes like summer, even in the dead of winter. Exceptional blueberry pie is developed through a harmonious marriage of sweet blueberries and crisp, buttery piecrust. Select the freshest ingredients for your pie and serve warm.


Crust


The crust is an important component to making a delicious pie. Go for a buttery, flaky crust that complements the succulent blueberries and doesn't overpower them. For best results, mix your dough in a food processor. Create the dough by combining 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp. sugar and 1/4 tsp. salt.


Add 1 stick cold, unsalted butter, dice into chunks, and blend. Pour in a mixture of 1 egg yolk and 1 1/2 tbsp. ice water. Pulse or toss the dough until it is well blended and it forms into a ball. Dust the dough with a little flour, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.


Filling


Use fresh blueberries if they are in season; otherwise, purchase frozen blueberries to use in your pie filling. You can also flash freeze fresh summertime blueberries for use later in the year: Place fresh, unwashed blueberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet in your freezer. Once blueberries are frozen, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag or container. Wash the blueberries once you are ready to use them.








Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 3 tbsp. cornstarch, 3 tbsp. water or rum, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Add 8 cups blueberries to the mixture and combine well.








Combine


Pour the blueberry filling into a 6- to 7-cup gratin or shallow baking dish. Roll out your dough on a flat, floured surface. The dough should be larger than your baking dish. Lift the dough and drape it over your filled baking dish. Fold overhang dough underneath and crimp onto the dish. Make slits in the dough with a sharp paring knife to vent and brush the crust with egg wash. Sprinkle sugar over the top before baking.


Bake


Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place uncooked pie in the middle of a baking sheet to avoid the filling spilling all over your oven. Bake pie for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow pie to cool before serving.

Tags: baking dish, dough with, over your, tbsp water, your dough