Tammy's Berry Pie

When I was 9 or 10, I made $18 in a day selling home made pie (of course that was big money to a kid back then). I set signs on the sidewalk, cantilevered up on a ladder, and sat out with a phone and a card table. People really do like pie!

Pie Crust
This recipe makes 2 pie bottoms. I use a crumb crust (see below) for the top. You could use this crust for savory pies like quiche as well.

Mix with a fork:
2.5 C all purpose flour
1 C shortening
1/2 tea salt
1 tea baking powder

Now add 1 egg yolk, 2 TB white vinegar, and 1/2 C ice water (it is important that the water is cold).

Mix well and chill. Roll out pie crust with flour and shape in pie pan. Set aside.

Pie Filling
There are all sorts of pie fillings out there, here's one version for berries. Use either flour or tapioca flour, or even tapioca pearls to thicken the filling. Nobody can tell there is tapioca in the pie once it is cooked.

Carefully combine:
4 C fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries are my favorites)
2/3 to 1 C sugar (depends on how sour the berries are, and your taste)
1/4 C all purpose flour or tapioca flour or tapioca pearls
1 TB lemon juice (optional)
1- 2 tea vanilla extract (optional)

Crumb Crust
This is even good as is, but then again I seemed to have a childhood affinity for straight up flour and sugar mixed together. I use this on top of pie, but you can use it as a cobbler topping. You could even try it over a cooked pudding like creme brulee.

Combine in a small bowl, using your hands to mix the crumbs together.
1/2 C sugar
3/4 C all purpose flour
1/3 C butter

Once crumbly and combined, sprinkle half over each pie.

Combine and Bake the Pie
Pour filling into pie crust. Top with crumb crust topping. Bake for 10 minutes at 450F, then lower temp to 350 F and bake additional 30-40 minutes or until brown. Careful not to burn the crust-- you may need to put a little foil over the edges to prevent burning.

Alternative Fillings
For apple pie, peel and slice apples and place them in the pie crust. Sprinkle cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and 1/4 C sugar over apples. You could also make a caramel sauce to pour over the apples.