3/17/2022 0 Comments Spring Veggie PaellaBy Jess Kehoe Back in college I did the Europe trip that so many kids do and I have this great memory of being in Barcelona, wandering side streets when we came upon this neighborhood feast. There were a few people mixing food in a HUGE paella pan, and a very long table set out in the middle of the street. We stopped to say hi see what was going on, and were invited to join them for food. I'm pretty sure that meal was better than this cheater version, but I would say this is a pretty good quick version. This recipe is a great vegetarian option, but I could see adding some shrimp, or sausage to this easily if you want some meat in your meal. You don't need a real paella pan, but you will want a pretty big frying pan. I have a big 12" one and it was pretty full by the end!
Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 4 oz jar of pimientos, drained and chopped 1 can diced tomatoes, with the juices 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon turmeric 2 cups rice, medium grain 3 cups chicken broth 1 cup water 1/2 cup chopped parsley 1/2 lb asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 cup frozen peas 1 6 1/2 oz jar of artichoke hearts, drained and sliced 1 can cannellini beans, drained Instructions Begin by chopping your onions and veggies so you are all prepped. Using a large frying pan, heat the oil on moderate heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the pimientos, tomato and garlic, cook stirring occasionally for about 2 minutes. Stir in the salt, turmeric and rice. Add the chicken broth, water and parsley and bring this to a boil. Lower to moderate heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is absorbed by the rice, about 10 minutes. Stir in the asparagus, peas, artichokes and beans, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes. **I added about 1 cup of extra chicken stock during this time, because it seemed to be too dry. Remove from heat and let stand about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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2/17/2022 0 Comments One Pot Pasta and MushroomsThis is an easy and delicious one pot meal to make for a weeknight. It has a light and creamy sauce, and if you love mushrooms, like me, this really hits the spot. This dish is easy to personalize to your likes as well. It calls for dill as the flavoring herb, but would also be good with tarragon, sage or thyme. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 lb cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts thinly sliced 4 medium garlic cloves, chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup water 1 1/3 cups vegetable or chicken broth 2/3 dry white wine 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving 2 teaspoons dill 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Instructions: First, prepare your mushrooms, leeks and garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan (big enough to fit your pasta and liquid). Add mushrooms and sauté over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Add the butter and stir until it melts. Then add the leeks, garlic and salt. Stir often until the leeks are soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and 3 cups of liquid (wine, broth and water). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally until 3 minutes short of al dente, usually this is the time on the package. Stir in the cream and simmer, stirring to coat the pasta with the sauce for 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the cheese, herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan on top. ENJOY! 2/17/2022 0 Comments Alpine Values Hands on CareThe PTs at Alpine get together each month to share skills and knowledge. In February and March our focus is on manual therapy skills. Here are some thoughts from our PTs about the many aspects of hands-on care and why we think it’s worth practicing these skills.
Dennis McCrae, PT notes, hands-on care can be calming to the person as well as pain relieving. Teaching someone to do self-techniques is a great way to reduce the fear of touching the area. Some of the benefits Dennis teaches his patients about are improving blood flow, reducing edema, muscle relaxation and improving scar mobility. He states, “Combined with exercise and movement, there is no better way to go.” Brace Hayden, DPT shares some sentiments with Dennis. “I’ve found, after working in this profession for over two decades, that utilizing an assortment of manual therapies in conjunction with the gamut of other typical treatments has been highly beneficial for my patient’s healing process.” He continues, “I try to use manual therapy in some form with every patient, as the PT treatment benefits seem to have a multiplier effect” Brace additionally explains that during hands-on treatment he often discusses goals, answers questions, educates on specifics related to the individual’s injury experience and guides client participation in the treatment by focusing and communicating about what they feel. “This is a great example of what I call sensory agility training,” replies Angela Listug-Vap, DPT. “Our bodies and brains should be able to experience multiple sensations. During recovery from injury or chronic conditions we can get stuck in a ‘pain loop’ where we are only experiencing painful sensations from a certain area. The good news is we can train sensory agility. Manual therapy can be a fantastic opportunity to engage in this training.” Jess Kehoe, DPT comments, “I think hands-on therapy continues to be of value in PT, in part because of the caring touch it provides. A caring touch can go a long way in building trust, which is valuable in successful PT outcomes.” Brace seconds this thought, “I have also found that using manual treatment techniques builds a trusting alliance or connection between therapist and patient - you're truly in good hands.” At Alpine we think our hands on techniques are valuable and improve the quality of our care for you. If you want to learn more about what manual techniques might be able to do for your pain, find more information on our website, www.alpinptmissoula.com. 1/13/2022 0 Comments Let's go for a run!It's the middle of February, days are getting longer and it's about to be light when we get home from work. When that happens, all of the sudden I see people out running - everywhere! It's also about 20 weeks from the Missoula Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, the ideal time to begin your training routine. At Alpine PT we love running and the people who run. From our professional runner Kristina Pattison, to Gary Gales, who started running later in his life, we all think running is a great way to move your body and stride around this beautiful place we live. We take a stance against the common refrain heard a lot, “running will wreck your knees,” when in fact there is expanding evidence that runners have more healthy cartilage in their knees than non-runners. Therefore, at Alpine we believe that almost anyone can take up this age-old human form of recreation. I've collected a little advice from some of our PTs and their suggestions to be a successful runner. Kristina Pattison, aka “Kpat”, suggests that, "consistency is king! Use a guided program to build mileage gradually and consistently to help avoid the dreaded overuse injuries that can creep up on runners during a race build-up. If you live in the Missoula area, you're in luck! Our good friends at Run Wild Missoula are starting their annual marathon and half marathon classes soon. See here for information on this class and others which offer great mentorship and guidance with your training." Dennis McCrea, a seasoned and wise runner beyond any doubt, with several marathons, including the Boston under his belt, gives this advice: "Get into a consistent daily core strengthening and stretching routine NOW to prevent injuries in the future." He also encourages a training plan, both for new and experienced runners. "For those who have not run a lot and for whatever reason have decided to run a 1/2 or full marathon I would recommend signing up for the Run Wild Missoula running class. It is geared for all types of runners but especially those who have not gone through that sort of training. It gives them guidance, people to run with at a similar pace, and provides lots of great running tips." Angela Listug-Vap is in agreement on training and recalls that "after years of treating 'new to marathon' runners, I'd say the most common training errors I saw were: 1) ramping up too fast, and 2) no cross training of any kind, just running. I found once people started cross training for more lateral and cross body movements, plus core and hip strength they did great." She also shared a great "race day" consideration: "when you travel to a marathon you're tempted to get there early and spend a day or two walking around to check out the place. Don't do it, limit your steps the day before a race - your body will thank you." Brace Hayden reminds us that the knowledgeable PT's at Alpine can also help you make a successful plan. "I advise patients that are looking at training for longer mileage races to dial in a solid running program. Giving their current running program a review is helpful and then balancing it out. I try to make sure they have a dedicated dynamic warm-up at the beginning of each run and make time for some sort of short post-run stretch/mobility routine. Lastly, I work with the runner on customizing some cross training and a comprehensive strength routine to avoid injuries that often crop up with high-mileage runs." So here's to the last few weeks of winter. Maybe you're not quite ready to trade your skis out for your running shoes, but soon the sun, trails and dry sidewalks will lure you out there. As always, keep Alpine or PhysioTrekk on your speed dial, so if problems do arise, our expert PT's can help you take care of them quickly. 1/13/2022 0 Comments Shepherd's PieBy Jess Kehoe, DPT It's winter, you are craving some comfort food. Do you have some ground meat in your freezer? Some potatoes? Carrots, an onion and some peas? Then you've got this tasty shepherd's pie. I used ground venison that we had been given by some friends who hunt, and it was delicious. Basically all you have to do is sauté up the veggies and ground meat, make some mashed potatoes and then bake for 15 minutes. I have started using my InstaPot for making mashed potatoes and it's so easy, it does that work while you sauté. You can also make them dairy free and honestly I can barely tell the difference.
Ingredients: 1 onion, diced 1-2 carrots, sliced 1 cup frozen peas 1 lb ground beef 6 small red or yellow potatoes 2-3 garlic cloves 1 cp bone broth chicken or beef 1 tsp rosemary 1 tsp thyme 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp tomato paste salt and pepper to taste Instructions: Make the mashed potatoes in your InstaPot. Pour in the 1 cup of broth, then poke holes in your potatoes. You could certainly peel them if you prefer, but skins on makes it a bit more "rustic". Place the potatoes on the little rack that comes with your InstaPot. I drop 1-2 whole, peeled, cloves of garlic right into the pot for a little garlicky flavor (this is optional!). Seal the top and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. While that is going, sauté the veggies and meat. Place the diced onion and meat in a oven safe pan with 1-2 diced cloves of garlic and the spices and sauté on medium high until the meat is cooked through. Then add in the carrots and peas, and continue for 3-5 more minutes. Pre-heat your oven to 375. When the potatoes are done remove the rack, add salt and pepper to taste, 3 tbsp butter and mash (I have a masher but you can also use a hand mixer). If you want a little cheesy flavor you can add some parmesan or cheddar cheese, or if you are going dairy free 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast will give you that cheesy flavor also. If your potatoes seem too dry add a little milk or dairy free milk to find the right consistency. If you don't have an InstaPot, you can make these on the stove as you would make normal mashed potatoes. Spread the potatoes over your meat misure and and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Finish with 3 minutes on the top rack and high broil to get a nice golden top. Enjoy! 12/6/2021 0 Comments New Years Resolution ResetThis month for our PT Talk conversation, we asked Alpine’s physical therapists the question: “Looking into the looming 2022 and your resolution resets, what are your words of advice on kicking off the New Year with a strong start?” There were several common threads in the many responses, including being realistic, starting small and being consistent. Many of our PT’s shared their go-to apps and there are some fun ideas in here too like taking up a new sport, using colored pens and not comparing yourself to “The Rock”! If you are feeling inspired to really try something new, sometimes professional help is a good idea. If you are new to exercise, consulting with a Physical Therapist or a Personal Trainer can certainly make your efforts more effective and safe. If weight loss is truly on the list, guidance from a nutritionist or your doctor is also warranted. Here is some of the advice from our Alpine family to yours... Leah Vertsteegen said: “I am not great at resolutions but can get on board if I set a goal or two, probably the only difference between the two is in my own interpretation. My advice - keep it simple so that you can be successful, but make it enough of a challenge that it pushes your comfort levels. For example, I am terrible at regular stretching or mobility work, so last year my goal was to add yoga to my weekly routine. I chose a simple and doable format - online and all classes are under 30 minutes. I really love the instruction and format of the 30 Day Yoga Challenge hosted by 'Yoga with Adrienne'. I chose one 30 day challenge that I tried to complete in 3 months rather than 30 days, that way I never had to sit there and choose what to do next, it was already curated and queued up! It's always fun to get a friend or family member involved so that you can hold each other accountable, or you can just quietly do it on your own and enjoy the personal challenge.” Colter Brown’s input was: "If you really want to make a commitment toward change or accomplishing something, you have to do it. No one else can do it for you. Start now, make a plan, prioritize the next most important step, and execute. This might involve utilizing helpful resources such as a physical therapist or personal trainer. You do not have to do this alone, but you do have to initiate and stick to your plan for it to work." Jess Kehoe thinks: “two very worthwhile resolutions for me or anyone looking to be healthier into 2022 would be the addition of regular mindfulness and/or addition of regular exercise. My best suggestion is to add or change a habit by planning to do the new activity at the same time every day. If you want to try mindfulness there is a great free app, Insight Timer, there are thousands of options for guided meditations. I have had success as a working mom with two young girls meditating first thing in the morning. I often stay in bed, which really works for a consistent 5 minutes of practicing mindfulness and it has been a great way to start off my day. As for exercise, another great app I've used is called The 7-Minute Workout. It's free, easy to use, no equipment necessary, and only 7 minutes. My kids even like to join me.” JD Large contributed these thoughts: “The New Year can be a great time to reflect and reset with regards to health goals and overall wellness. However, we all know the phenomenon that happens after January 1st - people get really pumped up about getting in shape, then when they don’t achieve their 20 pound weight loss goal in 2 weeks, and throw in the towel. Some useful strategies to avoid this common pitfall are journaling to track progress with exercise and to hold yourself accountable with dietary choices. Additionally, if you aren't familiar with exercise programming or you don't have a background in the gym, consider consulting with a professional (personal trainer/PT/nutritionist) to come up with a good game plan based on your goals. If you have a lingering injury that has been preventing you from getting into the gym or a running program, consider checking in with a PT so that your lingering issue doesn't hinder you from participating in your New Year fitness goals. Another big driver of success is getting into a consistent routine. Try to schedule times that work for you to perform your regimen each week. Explore your options around a gym membership versus investing in a home gym. Are you a morning person or would you prefer to get your workout in after the daily grind? I have found that folks have the best success when they knock out their workout routine before work, as life often throws you daily curveballs that make for convenient excuses to skip it. Another helpful piece of advice would be to set realistic goals and to stick to them. It sounds cliché, but I’ve found personally and with my patients, this has been a very effective strategy. Make your long-term goals reasonable. For example, if you want to lose 20 lbs, realize that generally the most weight that you can lose in a healthy fashion is 1-2 lbs per week. If your body is in a caloric deficit, you will burn more calories than you bring in and can slowly lose excess weight. A realistic weight loss goal thus would be to lose 20 lbs in 15-20 weeks. The last piece of advice I often recommend is to be patient with yourself, but also be accountable to yourself. Realize that celebrities and athletes with bullet-proof physiques have personal trainers, personal chefs and sometimes even "enhance" with surgeries and medications. It’s helpful not to read the latest work-out routine from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and expect that you can follow his routine and get his miraculous results.” Gary Gales suggests: “Pick one to two habits that you want to change for the rest of your life. Start small and build on these habits throughout the year with the focus on getting there with smaller goals over time. Keep at it, be forgiving if you slip from your routine and keep heading in the right direction.” Angela Listug-Vap’s pro tips were: “I love goal setting, but I have more fun with it when I add some whimsey. Looking at my goals, you'll find things like "finish your will" next to "wear more animal print". I also decided that after the darkness of the year 2020, 2021 needed more brightening. I deemed 2021 to be "The Year of the Rhinestone" and every month I sent something with a rhinestone on it to my mom and sister. It was a fun goal to meet. Goals don't have to be miserable things. Assign your goals to each particular month. I tend to have very high expectations of what I can actually accomplish, so I like to write out my yearly goals and match them to a month; it keeps me much more reasonable. For example - I want to increase my consistency with flossing, so I assigned it to a month - when March hits I'll make myself floss every day that month and by the end of the month it'll be a new habit. You can't start everything in January - that's failure waiting to happen. Write your resolutions down. I've had fun the last two years using colored pens and writing out 20 goals for 2020 (many didn't happen, as 'isolate yourself' wasn't on the list) and 21 goals for 2021. I'm definitely starting to think about my 22 goals in 2022. A 22 minute walk every day and sending 22 handwritten cards are at the top of my list.“ Maddie Small’s succinct thoughts were: “Focus on your health and wellness, practice more patience, increase kindness toward others, and look out for the positives in each situation.” Antara Quinones said: “I try to keep it fun with breakdowns of how to achieve an overarching goal. The typical weight loss goals, or "exercise more", or "eat better" usually start with good intentions, turn to a big struggle, then make you feel worse about yourself, and inevitably you bag it for another year. Instead, think about learning a new physical skill. As adults we often forget to play with movement. It's hard to skip, jump rope, or do a cartwheel without smiling. When's the last time you played tag? Try creating a new habit of adding daily movement, make it an enjoyable task, and things will start to fall into place. Nutritionally, start thinking about changing 1 thing in your diet. Maybe you give up cereal and replace it with something more nutritionally dense with less sugar. Maybe you add another glass of water to your daily hydration routine.” So here’s to the New Year! Our Alpine family hopes you find joy and health this whole year through, whether you set a resolution or not. For more individualized guidance, a consult or to start some physical therapy in the new year, check out our website or call us at (406) 251-2323. By Jess Kehoe As I'm writing this up it is snowing, big fluffy flakes coming down and accumulating on the ground, thank goodness. This winter sure took it's time getting us some white fluffy! This recipe is great for a cozy dinner on a snowy night. There is a little work with all the chopping and sautéing of things, but this soup tastes even better the next day, so cooking on a Sunday to have that evening, and then leftovers for your busy Monday would be a great plan. This also goes great with some crusty bread.
Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sausage 1 medium onion, diced 3-4 medium carrots, diced 3-4 celery stalks, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 8 cups chicken broth 2 teaspoons of dried basil 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 bay leaves 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes (with liquid) 2 15-oz cans cannellini or Great Northern beans (you could substitute one can of beans for 1 1/2 cups of shell or elbow pasta if you like) 3 cups kale, stems removed and roughly chopped Parmesan cheese Instructions: Chop up all your veggies and measure your spices. In a heavy soup pot heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add your sausage and break it apart as it cooks. Cook the sausage until it is no longer pink. Then add in the onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Continue to stir over medium heat until veggies soften, 5-6 minutes. Add the chicken broth and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 20 min. Stirring occasionally. Add the canned tomatoes, drained beans and kale and simmer for 10-15 minutes. If using pasta, add that now and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is done. Serve with grated parmesan cheese. 11/18/2021 0 Comments Staying Active in the winter Exercise for all ages is important to improve our physical and mental health. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity for kids ages 6-17 and the CDC and WHO recommends 150 minutes or more per week of moderate activity for adults. It’s also the case that any exercise is better than staying sedentary! Here in Montana, winter is settling in which can really change the game for accessing the easier modes of fitness outdoors. At Alpine, we highly encourage all of our friends, co-workers, family, and clients to make a plan to get out and keep moving this winter. We acknowledge that when conditions begin to get icy, recreational opportunities get more challenging and it is important to be safe. Here are some suggestions from our Physical Therapists. Brace Hayden, our balance specialist says, “I often advise people to head for the indoor options when outdoor temperatures and sidewalk or trail conditions get hazardous. Getting a set of traction cleats (ie. YakTrax) for your shoes or boots can make the outdoor walks much more safe. The Southgate Mall is a free, warm, and flat option for the non-gym-going folks. Per their website, the ‘Southgate Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For mall walkers, the doors will open early at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.’ He is also frequently heard spouting advice about how a metal-tipped walking stick (ie. a ski pole) and good foot wear are worth it because they provide better traction and reduce falls. Another little nugget mentioned was keeping a small bag of cat litter or gravel handy when getting out of the car onto a potentially icy parking lot. A set of traction cleats like YakTrax were a recurring suggestion from our PTs. Kristina Pattison reminds us that, “many trails around Sentinel, Blue Mountain, and Waterworks are used year round and accessible if you have traction. Remember though, staying on the trail even in icy conditions also protects trails from erosion, braiding and trampling our wildflowers.” In the words of Leah Versteegen (who spent two years in Norway…), “I think it is important to remember the Scandinavian philosophy of 'there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.' It is so easy to make excuses in the winter months to not get outside because of the weather. Bundle up and get some fresh air!” Winter is also a time to take up some new sports if you are feeling adventurous. As Angela Listug-Vap says, “if you can hike, you can snowshoe.” And she shares that the Missoula Parks and Recreation department puts on annual clinics to teach snowshoeing and cross country skiing if you feel you would benefit from a little guidance. If you aren’t quite as adventurous, Dennis McCrea reminds us that, “the paved walking paths at the Fort Missoula and the river trail, which spans from Silver Park and Ogren Field all the way to the University, are usually cleared off regularly, fairly flat and are a good outdoor walking venue. It is also a good time to work on leg strengthening and balance.” Gary Gales has a great suggestion for staying at home, but continuing an exercise routine. “PBS offers some great guided home exercises classes. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m there are 23 minute Sit and Be Fit classes and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m there are Essential Stretch classes which are a little more challenging. PBS also has 6 a.m Essential Stretch and Yoga classes. These classes are geared for older adults and make it easy to remember the time and what's on. They are convenient and performed in their home when considering COVID transmission and hesitancy about gym exercise.” So, as the days get shorter and the snow starts flying, don’t forget there are lots of options to keep your body moving. Look out the window and decide if it’s an outside or inside kind of day, but make a plan to keep your exercise routines going. Alpine Physical Therapy is here for you to help with your movement needs! 11/17/2021 0 Comments Instapot Butter ChickenI love Indian food. The flavors are always so intricate and intense. And that is exactly why when I have tried to make Indian food it never compares. Likely this is because I do not spending all day frying spices, and probably don't even have the right spices. But, enter the Instant Pot, and a share from a friend of mine of this recipe from Urvashi Pitre and the Instant Pot Community Facebook group. (There are a few redeeming qualities of Facebook after all). It's easy folks, takes only about a hour total, and my kids love it! Ingredients 1 14-oz can of diced tomatoes, with the liquid 5 or 6 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground paprika 2 teaspoons garam masala, divided 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken (breasts or thighs) 4 ounces butter, but into cubes or 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup heavy cream or full fat coconut milk 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 carrots, sliced (optional) 1 cup broccoli, cut into bite size pieces (optional) Instructions Place the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, one teaspoon of the garam masala, cumin and salt in your Instant Pot. Mix thoroughly then place the chicken and veggies on top. (The original recipe doesn't include veggies, but we add them to make a more complete meal!) Lock the lid into place and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. When cooking is complete let the pressure release naturally. Unlock the lid and remove the chicken and vegetables, set them aside. Using an immersion blender in your pot, blend together the sauce until smooth. Then add the butter, cream and remaining teaspoon of garam masala as well as cilantro. Stir well. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If not you could simmer it to thicken. Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and return it with the veggies to the pot. Stir. If you need to re-heat up the chicken or thicken the sauce, you can also sauté for several minutes at this point. Serve over rice and enjoy! 11/17/2021 0 Comments Bonus Holiday Apple PieSince we are now going strong in mid-holiday season, I thought you might all enjoy a special bonus recipe! This apple pie is pretty yummy, and who doesn't like warm apple pie with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side. I must say making crust from scratch really will make you feel like a super chef, and it's actually easy, but no judgement if you buy it in the store! As far as apple varieties to use, some types do make better pie than others. I would suggest Macintosh, Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonagold, Honey Crisp, and Braeburn, or a mix of these. These all are nice and crisp with a good balance of sweet and tart that really makes a pie tasty. I was fortunate to have some local apples from my friends who have a tree, so I think my version was made with a Macintosh like variety. Recipe adapted from Food and Wine.
Enjoy and Happy Holidaying!! Crust 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling) 1 teaspoon salt 2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2 inch dice 1/4 cup ice water Filling 3 pounds apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg pinch of salt 2 tablespoons of lemon juice 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small dice 1 large egg, beaten Sugar for sprinkling on top (turbinado would be a fancy option) Instructions Make the crust first. Using a food processor, combine the flour and salt, then add the cubed butter and pulse until a coarse meal is created. Slowly pour in the ice water, and pulse. (Only use as much as needed to get the dough to come together, less water and processing is the key to a flakey crust, but not enough water and your crust could be a pain to roll out. This is the "art" of the pie crust as they say!) Divide your dough in half and pat it into two discs, wrap them in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes. You can also make dough ahead of time and it can be in the freezer for a few weeks to a few months. Now on to making the pie. Peel, slice and core your apples, mixing them with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice. Mix well. this can stand while you roll out your dough. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a floured work surface roll out one of your discs to a 12 inch round, about 1/4 inch thick. Ease it into a 9-10 inch deep dish pie plate. Roll out the second disc of dough also to about a 12 inch round. If you want you can use some holiday specific cookie cutters to add decoration to this top crust. Scrape the apples and all their juices into the pie plate and dot with the butter. Cover with the second crust. Gently press hte edges together, trim overhang slightly. You want to be able to pinch it to seal and then turn this excess under, crimping it decoratively. Then brush the pie with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. You will want some venting on the top, so if you have used cookie cutters, this will work, or you will want to make a few small gashes on the top. Bake the pie on the lowest shelf in the oven for 30 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 365 degrees and bake for 45-50 more minutes. The fruit juices should be bubbling through the vents and the crust should be golden brown on the top and bottom. If your crust is looking dark too early, you can loosely cover it halfway through with foil. Transfer the pie to a rack and let it cool for up to 2 hours before serving. |