Georges Blueberry Pie Recipes

FRESH BLUEBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Mix the blueberries, 1/2 cup of sugar, the flour, lemon zest, lemon juice and Cassis in a large bowl. Carefully ease one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate, making sure not to stretch the dough or it will shrink as the pie bakes. With a sharp knife, cut the excess dough off at the edge of the pie plate. Spoon the blueberry mixture into the pie shell, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula to be sure you include all the juices.
• Brush the edge of the crust with the egg wash. Carefully lay the second crust on top, again easing - not stretching - it onto the pie. Cut the excess dough off at the edge of the pie plate. Press the edges together with a dinner fork or crimp with your fingers. Brush the top crust with the egg wash, cut three slits for steam to escape and sprinkle with sugar.
• Place the pie on the prepared sheet pan and bake in the middle of the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the filling is very bubbly and the crust is nicely browned. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Cut the butter in 1/2-inch dice and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump the dough out on a floured board and turn it into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece out on a well-floured board into a 12- to 13-inch circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board.

BLUEBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over blueberries.
• Line pie dish with one pie crust. Pour berry mixture into the crust, and dot with butter. Cut remaining pastry into 1/2 - 3/4 inch wide strips, and make lattice top. Crimp and flute edges.
• Bake pie on lower shelf of oven for about 50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

GEORGE'S BLUEBERRY PIE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half the dough into a 1/8-inch-thick circle, about 13 inches in diameter. Drape dough over a 9-inch pie pan, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together the egg and the milk to make the egg wash, and set aside. Combine the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and turn into the chilled bottom crust. Dot with the butter.
• Roll out the remaining piecrust dough to the same size and thickness. Brush the rim of the piecrust with the egg wash, and place the other piecrust on top. With scissors or a knife, trim to 1/2 inch over the edge of the pan, and crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers. Tuck the crust under the edge of the pie pan to prevent the juices from spilling. With a small paring knife, pierce the top crust in a decorative pattern. Transfer the pie to the refrigerator to chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Brush with the egg-wash glaze, and sprinkle with the tablespoon of sugar. Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees, and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes.

BLUEBERRY PIE WITH FROZEN BERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Put frozen blueberries in a pot along with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt. Mix gently so that the blueberries will get covered with cornstarch; the cornstarch will help to thicken the pie filling. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally so it will not burn to the bottom, about 15 minutes.
• While the pie filling is cooking, combine flour, 3/4 cup butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix with a fork until crumbles form. Slowly add cold water and mix until incorporated, adding more water as needed.
• Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Roll out 1 dough ball with a rolling pin into a 10-inch circle. Transfer pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the edge of the pie crust with scissors and crimp the rim with your fingertips and knuckles.
• Remove pie filling from heat and pour into the pie crust. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon butter pieces on top of the filling; the butter will melt and make a thin surface over the filling that will help you weave the strips of crust for the lattice on top.
• Roll the top crust into a 10-inch circle. Cut into 1/2-inch strips with a sharp paring knife or pastry wheel. Start with the longest strips and lay the first 2 in an X in the center of the pie. Alternate horizontal and vertical strips, weaving them in an over-and-under pattern. Use the shortest strips for the edges of the lattice. Fold the ends of the lattice strips under the edge of the bottom crust and flute the crust.
• Melt 1 teaspoon butter in milk by microwaving in a microwave-safe cup in 10-second intervals. Brush over the top of the pie to get a nice golden brown crust.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.