Apple pie

Serves 6

2 9” pie crust
6 cups apples, pared and sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 tbsp butter

Press one crust into a pie pan.
Mix apples, sugar and cinnamon; pour mixture in shell, garnish with knobs of butter.
Cover with other pie crust, cut vent in middle, crimp edges to seal.
Bake at 450F, 10 minutes; then at 350F, 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.

If using sour apples, increase sugar quantity to 3/4 cup; for very sweet apples, sprinkle with 1 tbsp lemon juice.
For a new-tasting twist, mix apples with some cranberries, gooseberries or dry raisins.
Use a cheese pie crust!
Add 1/2 cup grated cheddar to your pie dough recipe.