Grand marnier Apple Pie with Candied Kumquat
Ingredients
- For Crust
- 3.14 Cups Flour
- 1.5 Cups Butter
- 1/2 to 3/4 Cup Ice Cold water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Sugar (optional)
- For Candied Kumquats
- 1/2 Lb Kumquats
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- For Filling
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tbsp Flour
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Brandy or cognac
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Ginger
- 3 Lb Peeled, cored, and slice Hearty apples (Granny smiths hold up best)
- To finish:
- Melted butter
- large grain sugar like turbinado
Instructions
- make the dough: Mix flour, salt, and sugar. Cut the butter into pea sized pieces. Keep the butter as cold as possible. Mix together until a loose paste forms. Then add the water a little at a time until it forms a solid dough. You may not need all the water. Dust the dough with flour. Cover it and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Make the candied Kumquats: Quarter the kumquats. Remove seeds and stems. Put all ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil, then taper back to a simmer. Allow it to cook down until the fruit softens and the liquid becomes a syrup. Let it cool down
- make the filling: Melt the butter in a pan. Stir in the flour to make a light rough. Cook, stirring, for about a minute. Then add in the sugar and ginger. Stir and cook until the sugars melt to a caramel. Stir in the spices. Then add in the apples. Cook and stir until they begin to soften. Add the brandy and flame the alcohol off.
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Roll out the dough into 2 rounds on a floured surface. Put one round into a sprayed 9 or 10 inch pie pan. Place the apple filling in the crust. Spread the kumquats on top of the apple mix. Then, put the other pie crust on top. Crimp the shells together at the edges. Cut away any excess from the over hang. Then brush the top crust with melted butter, and, sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 15 minutes at 425. Then drop the temperature in the oven to 350 and cook for another 35 to 45 minutes.
Notes
If Kumquats aren't appealing, try candied orange zest using the same method. Or omit them entirely. The apple filling is fine on its own. Another idea is adding cranberries or more mainstream fruit if you want something just a step off the beaten path.