Baking Apple Pies with Homemade Crusts

I am absolutely tired today! But, I did something I enjoy doing no matter how I feel, and that's baking. My dad-in-law visited today and it's his birthday, so I made him his usual apple pie with raisins. I admit it, I use Pillsbury pie crust when I don't have the time, but I've been experimenting with making my own crust, and I'm happy to say, I'm getting better at it. No, this pic is one of my apple pies made with Pillsbury's pie crust.

I've used base pie crust recipes from Alton Brown's Food Network show, Good Eats, as well as my The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I do use shortening as I sometimes have problems with the additional water that butter adds, but, as has been reported, trans-fat is the worst thing you can use, so, I'll keep trying with the butter and, if I can find it, real lard. The recipe is the standard flour, salt, shortening, and cold water blended together in a food processor, and refrigerated for easier handling.

I'll tell you, watching folks make the crust on t.v. makes it all seem soooooo easy. Going back into the kitchen and doing it yourself can be the most frustrating experience. Someday, I'll actually get the recipe the way I want it so that it's a no-brainer. In the meantime, I always have my Pillsbury pie crust on ice -- just in case ;)

"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe."
-- Dr. Carl Sagan