New Mexican Apple Pie

Ingredients

While the original American apple pie is known for its sweet and cinnamon-spiced filling, our New Mexican adaptation adds a touch of heat and complexity by incorporating traditional New Mexican spices such as red chili powder and cumin. These spices infuse the pie with a distinct Southwestern flavor that sets it apart from the traditional version. We alse have the original recipe for Apple Pie, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) salt 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6-8 tablespoons (90-120ml) ice water 6-8 tablespoons (90-120ml) ice water
• 6 cups (900g) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 6 cups (900g) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (2g) ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon (2g) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar (for sprinkling) 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 16g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 42g (Sugar: 24g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, red chili powder, cumin, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
5. 5.
   Roll out one of the dough disks on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled dough to the pie dish and gently press it into the bottom and sides.
6. 6.
   Pour the apple filling into the pie crust and dot with the melted butter.
7. 7.
   Roll out the second dough disk and place it over the filling. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits on the top crust to allow steam to escape.
8. 8.
   Brush the top crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
9. 9.
   Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let the pie cool for at least 1 hour before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and tart apples such as Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor in the pie.
• Red chili powder — Adjust the amount of chili powder according to your spice preference. Increase or decrease as desired.
• Cumin — Use ground cumin for convenience, but you can also toast and grind whole cumin seeds for a more intense flavor.
• Lemon juice — The lemon juice adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness of the apples. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor.
• Butter — For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter substitute of your choice.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the crust from becoming soggy, sprinkle a little flour or ground almonds on the bottom of the pie crust before adding the apple filling.
• For an extra kick of heat, sprinkle a pinch of red chili powder on top of the pie before baking.
• Serve the pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures.
• If the edges of the pie crust start to brown too quickly during baking, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
• Leftover pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the New Mexican Apple Pie warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert experience.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the New Mexican Apple Pie, dust the top crust with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish each slice with a small red chili pepper for a touch of visual appeal.