pie night...

Scrumptious Apple Pie & Cheeseburger Pie

A couple of weeks ago we had an evening of pie... and I believe if everyone had an evening of pie the world would be a better place.

First, we had Paula Deen's Cheeseburger Pie. If you're anything like me, and on occasion get tired of the ol' traditional hamburger bun and all its thickness, then this is a nice alternative.

Not to mention they're fun to make and taste delicious.

But once again, this is what it's really all about for me... and after I give birth to this lil' guy in about 5 weeks and I regain some energy other than raising a fork to my lips, I've got many, many uphill miles to walk on the treadmill.

This is PW's Scrumptious Apple Pie. And let me just say, this pie could be the answer to world peace.

Especially when eaten warm with some vanilla ice cream... or the next morning for breakfast with a little bit of coffee... then again for an afternoon snack... and maybe even again for dessert the next night. I'm not saying *I* indulged that many times or anything... I'm just saying, you could if you wanted to. Because after all, with each mouthful a sense of peace and well being would overcome you and all would be right in the world, so no one would blame you if you did indulge a little... or a lot.

*Cheeseburger Pie*

1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup sweet onions, preferable Vidalia onion... or omit completely
1 tablespoon steak seasoning
1 tablespoon steak sauce
Your favorite cheese slices
1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, at room temp. for about 20 minutes
1 egg yolk

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Mix the ground beef, onion, steak seasoning and sauce together (using your hands is the most efficient way to do this). Form into flat patties. Grill or pan fry the hamburgers to medium-well. Remove and top each burger with a slice of cheese.

~Roll the puff pastry sheet to flatten slightly. Cut into 4 relatively even rectangles.

~Cover each burger with a piece of puff pastry and wrap it around the bottom, pinching all of the edges to seal. Place on a un-greased baking sheet, pinched side down.

~Whisk together the egg yolk and 1 teaspoon water to make an egg wash. Brush each wrapped pastry with egg wash. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the puff pastry is nice and brown.

~Serve with your favorite toppings/condiments.

*Scrumptious Apple Pie*

Pie crust... I used two frozen store bought pie crusts, not PW's "made from scratch" pie crusts
6 to 7 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith Apples
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
4 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 jar (or more) caramel topping

~In a bowl mix peeled apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour and 1/4 tsp. salt. Set aside.

~Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, then add in the brown sugar, oats, and salt.

~Divide the apple mixture into the prepared pie crusts and top with crumb topping.

~Cover crust edges with aluminum foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil from crusts (be sure to watch this... my crust edges were already done after 25 minutes so, I couldn't remove the foil) and place back in oven for another 15 to 30 minutes. With 5 minutes remaining top with the pecans and finish baking.

~Remove from oven and top with 1/2 jar (or more) of caramel topping. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

~Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

~Enjoy!

xo
Ralonda