Shortcut Peach Pie Recipes

PEACH PIE

Steps:

• Combine 2 1/2 pounds peach wedges with 3/4 cup light brown sugar, the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour into pie shell; dot with 4 tablespoons butter.
• Perfect All-Butter Piecrust
• Pulse 3 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Add 1 diced stick cold butter; process until combined. Add 2 more diced sticks cold butter; pulse three times, or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar. Gradually pour in 1/3 cup ice water, pulsing about four times until combined. Turn out onto a clean surface and press into a cohesive dough without overworking (you should see bits of butter). Wrap in plastic wrap and press into a 1-inch-thick disk; refrigerate at least 1 hour before rolling out.
• How to Make a Pie
• Divide the chilled dough in half; roll 1 piece into a 12-inch, 1/8-inch-thick circle on a lightly floured surface (refrigerate the other piece).
• Roll the dough onto a rolling pin, then unroll it into a 9-inch glass pie plate, letting it hang over the edge; add filling (see options above).
• Roll out the other piece of dough and place over the filling; press the crust edges together and trim, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Roll up or pinch the overhang to seal.
• Place a foil-lined baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 450 degrees. Wrap an oiled, wide band of foil around the pie edge to protect the crust. Make slashes in the top of the crust; chill for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pie for 30 minutes. Remove the foil band, brush the crust with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes; cool before slicing.

DEEP DISH PEACH PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Put the flour, granulated sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the shortening and pulse until it looks like cornmeal. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is about the size of a pea. Add 4 tablespoon ice water and pulse until the dough starts to come together but is still crumbly (add the remaining tablespoon water if necessary). Divide the dough into 2 pieces, one made from a third of the dough and the other from the remaining two-thirds of the dough. Form each into a disc and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
• For the peach filling: Combine the peach wedges, light brown sugar, quick-cooking tapioca, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice in a large bowl and toss to coat. Set aside.
• Lightly butter an 8-inch springform pan. On a lightly floured surface, roll the larger piece of dough into a 14-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick.
• Roll the dough onto a rolling pin, then unroll it into the pan, patting it in gently, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Pour in the filling.
• Roll out the other piece of dough into a 10-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick and place it over the filling; press the crust edges together and trim any excess, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Roll up or pinch the overhang to seal.
• Place a foil-lined baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Wrap an oiled, wide band of foil around the edge of the pan like a collar to protect the crust. Make slashes in the top of the crust and chill the pie 30 minutes.
• Place the pie on the foil-lined baking sheet and immediately reduce the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake the pie for 1 hour. Remove the foil band, brush the crust with heavy cream and sprinkle with some granulated sugar. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes more. Let cool 1 hour, then carefully remove the edge of the pan. Let cool completely, about 1 more hour, before slicing.

SHORTCUT SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over high heat for 2 minutes, then add the oil. (It will shimmer and lightly smoke; that's OK.) When you start to see wisps of smoke, crumble the ground beef evenly into the pan. Let the beef cook undisturbed until browned on one side, 3 minutes, then start breaking it up and turning it to brown any remaining pink spots, about 4 minutes more. Transfer the beef with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl; set aside.
• Turn the heat down to medium and discard all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Add the onions, garlic and thyme, stir to combine and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the cooked beef, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs if using. Fold in the peas and carrots.
• Transfer the mixture to an 8-inch square casserole pan, and top with the potato tots and Cheddar. Bake until the potato tots are crisp and the meat layer is bubbling up the sides, 20 to 25 minutes.

RASPBERRY PEACH PIE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Roll out pastry to fit in a 9-in. pie plate. , Transfer to pie plate; trim and flute edges. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Fill with dried beans, uncooked rice or pie weights., Bake at 450° for 8 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake 5-7 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack., In a large saucepan, combine the peaches, sugar and juice. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir into peach mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature. Fold in raspberries. Spoon into crust., Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Refrigerate leftovers.