The Williams' Sisters Deep Dish Peach Pie
Posted by: Jerseygirl Wed, 26 May 2004, at 6:47 p.m.
 Source: Savuer.com

SERVES 8 - 10

Elizabeth Williams made this pie with her daughters in the '30s, using peaches from the orchard behind their house.

FOR THE CRUST:

4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 lb. cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces

FOR THE FILLING:

10 cups sliced fresh peaches
1 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1. For the crust:

Sift flour and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to work butter and shortening into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle in up to 8 tbsp. ice water, stirring the dough with a fork until it just begins to hold together. Using your hands, press the dough firmly into a rough ball. Give the dough several quick kneads with the heel of your hand to form a smooth dough, then shape into a ball. Divide ball in half, dust each with flour, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. For the filling:

Gently mix peaches, sugar, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl and set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 375°. Between two large pieces of wax paper, roll out 1 of the chilled balls of dough into a 12'' x 15'' rectangle. Remove paper and ease pastry into a 9'' x 12'' baking pan, then fill pastry with peaches and any accumulated juices.

4. Between two new large pieces of wax paper, roll out the second chilled dough ball into a 10'' x 13'' rectangle, then remove paper and carefully place dough on top of peaches. Fold edge under, then crimp with a fork. Make several slits with a sharp knife down the center of the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. Bake until pie is golden brown and bubbling, about 1 hour and 25 minutes.