Plăcintă cu mere (Romanian Apple Pie)

Ingredients

• For the pastry crust: For the pastry crust:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (57g) lard, cold and cubed 1/4 cup (57g) lard, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (60ml) cold water 1/4 cup (60ml) cold water
• For the apple filling: For the apple filling:
• 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• For the topping: For the topping:
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 14g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 36g, 18g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the pastry crust. Add the cold butter and lard. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the fats into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest for the filling. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
5. 5.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle large enough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish and press it gently against the bottom and sides.
6. 6.
   Pour the apple filling into the prepared crust, spreading it evenly.
7. 7.
   In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon for the topping. Drizzle the mixture over the apple filling.
8. 8.
   Fold the edges of the pastry crust over the filling, creating a rustic look.
9. 9.
   Bake the Plăcintă cu mere in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith or Braeburn for the best flavor and texture.
• Lard — If you cannot find lard, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chilled vegetable shortening.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle some chopped walnuts or raisins over the apple filling before baking.
• Serve the Plăcintă cu mere warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful dessert experience.
• If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can increase the amount of sugar in the filling according to your taste.
• Make sure to let the pie cool slightly before slicing to allow the filling to set.

Serving advice

Plăcintă cu mere is best served warm. Cut it into wedges and serve it as a dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the pie with powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish each slice with a sprig of fresh mint or a drizzle of caramel sauce.