Best Cornmeal Pie Crust Recipes

CORNMEAL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Combine cornmeal, flour and 1 tsp salt in a bowl.
• Cut in shortening.
• In a separate bowl, beat together egg and 1/4 cup water.
• Add to cornmeal mixture.
• Press into 9 inch pie plate to form crust.
• Use in place of regular pie crust.

VEGGIE POT PIE WITH CORNMEAL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse just until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons ice water. With the processor running, drizzle in the yolk mixture. The dough should just come together. If it looks dry add more water, up to 4 tablespoons.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it comes together; it will be stiffer than a regular pie crust because of the cornmeal. Divide into four pieces, press into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the filling: Toss the potatoes, yam, parsnips, celery and mushrooms with 4 tablespoons oil.
• Season with salt and pepper and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. You don't want to cook these all the way though since they will cook more in the pot pie. (They should be al dente, but starting to get some color.)
• Combine the flour and remaining 4 tablespoons oil in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until smooth and bubbly like pancake batter, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the mushroom broth. Simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season to taste and remove from the heat.
• Add the roasted veggies to the mushroom broth along with the peas, thyme, rosemary and sherry vinegar. Divide the filling among four 8-ounce ramekins.
• Remove the dough from the fridge and roll each into a 5-inch disc. Wet the rim each ramekin and lay a crust over the top. Poke each 5 or 6 times with a fork and place in the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.

BLUEBERRY PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Put the flour, yellow cornmeal, 2 tablespoons sugar and the salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Combine 1/2 cup ice water and the apple cider vinegar in a liquid measuring cup. Add the ice water mixture to the flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, and pulse until the mixture just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and press the dough together. Divide the dough in half and press into two discs. Refrigerate the dough until firm, at least 2 hours.
• For the filling: Put 4 cups blueberries and 1/3 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the blueberries start to release some of their juices, 3 to 5 minutes. By this time, the mixture will have started to boil. Lower the heat to a strong simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces, 10 minutes. Stir in the tapioca starch and cook until the mixture thickens and resembles, blueberry jam, 5 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, then stir in the remaining 4 cups blueberries, the remaining 1/3 cup sugar, and the blueberry jam, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• To assemble and bake: Roll 1 chilled dough disc into a 13-inch round (about 1/8-inch-thick) on a lightly floured surface.
• Roll the dough onto a rolling pin, then unroll it into a 9 1/2-inch glass deep-dish pie plate, letting it hang over the edge. Evenly spoon the chilled filling into the pie plate.
• Roll out the remaining dough disc into a 12-inch round and place it over the filling. Press the crust edges together and trim, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Roll up or pinch the overhang to seal. Crimp as desired.
• Make five 2-inch slashes in the top of the crust. Chill for 30 minutes.
• Position a rack on the lowest shelf of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash on top of the chilled pie, including the crimped edges. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Put the pie on top of the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 375 degrees F and rotate the baking sheet. Bake, rotating the pan halfway through for even color, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, about 1 hour. If the edges begin to brown too quickly, cover them with foil or crust protectors. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Slice the cooled pie into 8 to 10 pieces before serving.

KING RANCH CHICKEN POT PIE WITH CHEDDAR-CORNMEAL BISCUIT CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Cook poblano chiles, onion and bell pepper in butter 8 to 10 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and 3 tablespoons flour; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes, taco seasoning mix, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Cook and stir 1 minute.
• Stir in broth and half-and-half; heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until thickened. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in 2 cups cheese. When cheese has melted, fold in sour cream and chicken. Transfer to baking dish.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, the cornmeal, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese and the milk just until moistened. Drop dough by 12 large spoonfuls (about 1/3 cup each) on top of hot filling. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

BLUEBERRY PIE WITH A CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Make the crust: blend flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter and shortening, then pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 4 tablespoons ice water and blend until dough forms a ball, adding more ice water, a half-tablespoon at a time (up to 2 additional tablespoons), if dough is dry. Divide dough in half, flatten into two round disks, wrap in plastic and chill at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, make the filling: whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt and lemon zest. Fold in 4 cups blueberries, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water. Let stand at room temperature about 45 minutes until juices form. Gently fold in the remaining 2 cups blueberries.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll out one dough round. Transfer rolled-out dough to a 9-inch pie pan and fill with blueberry mixture. Roll out the second dough round, then use it to cover the pie, decoratively crimping together dough edges to seal. Score top crust with a knife so pie can vent. Brush with milk and sprinkle with Demerara sugar.
• Place pie pan on a rimmed cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 35 minutes more. Spoon any escaped juices onto pie. Transfer to a rack and cool completely before serving.

TAMALE PIE WITH CHEDDAR & CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Grease 13x9x2 baking dish.
• In a large skillet heat oil add the peppers and onions saute for 5 minutes.
• Add beef to pan mixing to crumble cooking about about 5 minutes.
• Stir in remaining ingredients plus 1/4 cup beer.
• Put into prepared pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients, stir to mix well.
• In an other bowl, whisk yogurt,eggs,and oil to blend.
• Stir in 3/4 cup cheese, scallions and jalapeño.
• Pour yogurt mixture over the cornmeal mixture and stir just till blended.
• Top the filling with crust mixture.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake for 30 minutes.

BLUEBERRY PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST AND LEMON CREAM

Steps:

• For crust:
• Blend flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in processor. Add butter and shortening; using on/off turns, blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 4 tablespoons ice water; blend just until moist clumps begin to form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into disk. Wrap disks separately in plastic and chill at least 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Soften dough 10 minutes at room temperature before rolling out.
• For filling:
• Combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water in large bowl; toss to blend. Let stand at room temperature until juices begin to form, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place rimmed baking sheet in bottom of oven. Roll out 1 dough disk between 2 sheets of generously floured parchment paper to 12-inch round. Peel off top parchment sheet; invert dough into 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Carefully peel off second parchment sheet. Gently press dough into pie dish, pressing any cracks together as needed to seal and leaving dough overhang. Spoon filling into pie crust.
• Roll out second dough disk between 2 sheets of generously floured parchment paper to 12-inch round. Peel off top parchment sheet. Carefully and evenly invert dough atop filling. Peel off second parchment sheet. Trim overhang of both crusts to 1 inch. Fold overhang under and press to seal. Crimp edges decoratively. Cut five 2-inch-long slits in top crust of pie to allow steam to escape during baking. Lightly brush top crust (not edges) with milk. Sprinkle with raw sugar.
• Bake pie 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling thickly through slits, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool pie completely on rack. Cut into wedges and serve with Lemon Cream.
• *Also called turbinado or demerara sugar; available at most supermarkets and at natural foods stores.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Whisk 3 tablespoons ice water and egg yolk in small bowl to blend. Mix all purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, sugar and salt in processor. Add chilled butter. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle egg yolk mixture over. Using on/off turns, process until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball. Flatten dough into disk; wrap disk in plastic and refrigerate 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Roll out dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper to 12-inch round. Remove top sheet of waxed paper. Invert dough, paper side up, into 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Remove waxed paper from dough. Crimp dough edges decoratively.
• For filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat 6 ounces cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup golden brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and egg yolk 1 at a time. Add remaining ingredients and beat until well blended. Pour filling into prepared crust.
• Bake pie until filling is slightly puffed and just set in center, about 55 minutes. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely. Cover pie and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep pie refrigerated.) Serve pie cold.

GLUTEN-FREE BLUEBERRY PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• In food processor, place flours, cornmeal, 2 tablespoons sugar, the xanthan gum, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pumpkin pie spice. Cover; pulse, using quick on-and-off motions, until blended. Add 1/2 cup butter and the shortening. Cover; pulse until coarse crumbs form, about 5 seconds. Add water; pulse just until dough comes together. Divide dough in half; flatten each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm.
• In large bowl, toss blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch, preserves, 1/4 cup butter, lemon peel, lemon juice and 1/8 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• Line cookie sheet with foil; place on lower oven rack to catch any drips. Heat oven to 375°F. Unwrap 1 dough disk (keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to use). Between 2 sheets of cooking parchment paper generously sprinkled with rice flour, roll dough into 12-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Carefully peel off top piece of parchment paper; replace paper and turn round over. Peel off parchment paper from second side of dough and discard.
• Place upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate on dough round. Turn plate with dough over; remove parchment paper and discard. Pat dough into plate, pressing together any cracks or tears. In small bowl, beat egg white. Brush over dough. Spoon filling into crust-lined plate.
• Unwrap second dough disk. Between 2 sheets of cooking parchment paper generously sprinkled with rice flour, roll dough into 12-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Carefully peel off top piece of parchment paper; invert dough onto filling. Peel off parchment paper from second side of dough and discard. Using sharp knife, trim crusts even with edge of plate; crimp edge with fork to seal. Cut vents in top crust. In small bowl, beat egg yolk and milk. Brush over dough. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 2 hours.

MIXED-GREENS PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 10-inch straight-sided skillet or baking pan with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. In a deep-sided sauté pan at least 12 inches wide, heat 1/3 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they have softened but not colored, about 10 minutes. Add as many of the greens as can fit in the pot, along with 1 teaspoon salt. Stir and cover until the greens have wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining greens, stir, and cover until they have wilted, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the scallions, dill and parsley. Transfer the mixture to a colander set over a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the kefalograviera, ricotta and manouri. Squeeze excess liquid from the cooled greens and add them to the cheeses. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the eggs and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to bubble. Whisk in the cornmeal and 1 teaspoon salt. Continue stirring as the mixture thickens into an almost unstirrable paste. Remove from the heat. With lightly floured fingers, press half of the mixture into a thin layer across the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with the greens and cheese filling, spreading each evenly to the edges. Stir about 1/2 cup water into the remaining cornmeal to make a milkshake-thick batter (there will be a few lumps). Pour the thinned batter across the filling (some greens will poke through). Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil across the top of the pie. Bake until firm and golden brown around the edges, about 1 hour.
• Serve warm or at room temperature, with Greek yogurt on the side.

ACORN SQUASH AND HONEY PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Set a steamer rack inside a large pot with 2 inches of simmering water, and steam squash until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Scrape flesh from the shells of the cooled squash, and puree in the large bowl of a food processor until smooth. Add salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Add eggs, 1/2 cup milk, and honey. Pulse until thoroughly combined.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough 1/8 inch thick. Drape over pie pan, trimming edges to fit rim of pan. Create decorative edge as desired. Repeat with remaining dough and pie pans. Mix egg yolk and remaining tablespoon milk; brush over surface of dough.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Divide filling among pie crusts. Transfer pies to lower rack in oven, and bake for 10 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. and bake until filling is barely set, 25 to 30 minutes more; it will continue to cook as it cools. If crusts get too dark before the custard is done, make a tent with aluminum foil around crust. Transfer pies to wire rack to cool. Serve cold or at room temperature.

GREEK GREENS PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• If using spinach, wash the leaves, then steam, in batches if necessary, for 1 to 2 minutes, just until wilted. If using chard or beet greens, either steam 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted, or blanch in salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. Transfer the wilted greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out moisture. Chop medium-fine and set aside in a large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook for another minute, then stir in the greens and chopped herbs. Toss everything together, season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Add the feta and stir together.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch round baking dish or cake pan. I prefer to use an earthenware baking dish.
• Combine the milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add salt to taste and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon. If you don't add it in a very fine stream it will lump. Stir until the mixture is thick, like polenta. Remove from the heat and place half of the mixture in your oiled baking dish. Moisten your hands and spread the cornmeal mixture over the bottom of the pan in a thin, even layer.
• Spread the greens over the cornmeal bottom crust in an even layer. Dilute the remaining cornmeal mixture with water until it is the consistency of wet sand. Stir in the remaining olive oil. Spoon it over the greens and spread, using the back of a spoon or moistened hands, in an even layer. Don't worry if it doesn't cover every bit of the top.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

GREEK GREENS PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• 1. If using spinach, wash the leaves, then steam, in batches if necessary, for 1 to 2 minutes, just until wilted. If using chard or beet greens, either steam 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted, or blanch in salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. Transfer the wilted greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out moisture. Chop medium-fine and set aside in a large bowl. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook for another minute, then stir in the greens and chopped herbs. Toss everything together, season to taste with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Add the feta and stir together. 3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a 10-inch round baking dish or cake pan. I prefer to use an earthenware baking dish. 4. Combine the milk and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add salt to taste and slowly stream in the cornmeal while stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon. If you don't add it in a very fine stream it will lump. Stir until the mixture is thick, like polenta. Remove from the heat and place half of the mixture in your oiled baking dish. Moisten your hands and spread the cornmeal mixture over the bottom of the pan in a thin, even layer. 5. Spread the greens over the cornmeal bottom crust in an even layer. Dilute the remaining cornmeal mixture with water until it is the consistency of wet sand. Stir in the remaining olive oil. Spoon it over the greens and spread, using the back of a spoon or moistened hands, in an even layer. Don't worry if it doesn't cover every bit of the top. 6. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the top is browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 30 minutes before cutting.

ONE-POT PIE WITH CALLALOO, PLANTAIN, GOAT CHEESE, AND CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• To make the crust:
• Cut the chilled butter into very small pieces. Mix the flour, cornmeal, and sea salt in a food processor; add the butter, and pulse until the mixture is a sandy texture that resembles breadcrumbs. Transfer to a bowl, and add half the Parmesan cheese, mixing with a fork or knife until combined. (Reserve remaining cheese for topping the pie.) Measure out 4 tablespoons of ice-cold water, and add to the flour mixture a little at a time until the dough sticks together, mixing just long enough to create a mass. Do not overmix. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag; hold it in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Remove one hour before use to bring to room temperature.
• To make the callaloo filling:
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add half the garlic, onion, bell pepper, Scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and scallion; cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Add the callaloo and cook down for about 8 minutes, until it turns bright green. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To make the plantain filling:
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in another sauté pan over medium heat, and add the remaining garlic, onion, bell pepper, Scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and scallion; sauté for about 1 minute. Add the plantain and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes. Add the corn and cilantro, and sauté for another minute. Add 1/4 cup heavy cream, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To make the sauce:
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon chopped scallion. Add the white wine, and cook, stirring, until the wine is evaporated. Stir in the heavy cream and whole milk. Bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is reduced. Stir in the thyme and Parmesan cheese.
• To assemble the pot pie:
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out two-thirds of the pastry into a large circle, and use it to line the base and sides of an 8-inch pie dish or casserole. Layer half the plantain mixture in the bottom, then distribute half the mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top of that. Cover with half the callaloo mixture, then half the goat cheese and more Parmesan. Repeat the layers in the same order with the remaining plantain filling, mozzarella, Parmesan, callaloo filling, goat cheese, and more Parmesan. Pour the sauce over the assembled pie.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the rest of the pastry into an 8-inch round; lay it on top of the pie, trimming away any excess pastry and crimping the edges to seal well. Score an X in the middle of the top crust with a sharp knife. Brush the top of the pie with the beaten egg, scatter with the rest of the Parmesan, and chill for at least 20 minutes. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the pastry is golden-brown on top. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving.

TAMALE PIE WITH CORNMEAL CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine cornmeal and sugar; stir in 1-cup cheese, milk, eggs and oil. Stir just until moistened.
• Press mixture on bottom and up sides of 9"pie plate sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
• In a 10"skillet, cook ground turkey, green peppers, onion, garlic and jalapeños over medium high heat until turkey is no longer pink.
• Drain. Stir in tomato sauce, corn, chili powder, cumin and cayenne.
• Spoon turkey mixture into cornmeal crust.
• Bake at 350 F, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven; sprinkle with 1-cup cheese.
• Return to oven and bake until cheese melts.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
• Serve with sour cream and salsa if desired.

SWEET-POTATO PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• Crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Pulse flour, cornmeal, salt, and sugar in a food processor to combine. Add butter and pulse until pea-size clumps form. Whisk together egg yolk and 2 tablespoons ice water in a small bowl. Drizzle over flour mixture; pulse until mixture just begins to hold together when pinched. (If too dry, drizzle with another tablespoon ice water, and pulse a few more times.) Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap, loosely cover, and press into a disk. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Roll out dough to a 12-inch round on a lightly floured work surface. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish. Trim edges, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Fold edge of dough under itself until flush with edge of dish.
• Gather dough scraps, reroll, and stamp out various leaf shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Whisk egg white with 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl; brush over cutouts. Refrigerate crust and cutouts until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Line piecrust with parchment; fill with pie weights or beans. Bake on upper rack until bottom is dry, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove parchment and weights; return to oven. Place sheet with cutouts on lower rack; bake crust and cutouts until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. (If edges of crust are browning too quickly, tent with foil.) Let cool completely.
• Filling: While crust is cooling, pierce potatoes with a fork; place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until very soft, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scoop flesh from skins. Transfer 2 cups flesh to a food processor (reserving remainder for another use); puree with milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until smooth.
• Pour filling into piecrust; smooth top. Bake until edges are puffed slightly and center is set, 1 hour to 1 hour, 20 minutes. (If crust is browning too quickly, tent with foil.) Let cool completely. Top with leaf cutouts and serve, with whipped cream.

COLONIAL TIMES APPLE-CRANBERRY PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix first 5 ingredients in processor. Add shortening and cut in until mixture resembles coarse meal. Blend in enough buttermilk by tablespoons to form dough that begins to clump together. Gather dough into ball; divide in half. Flatten each half into disk. Wrap each disk in plastic and chill 45 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
• For filling:
• Position rack in lowest third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Coarsely chop cranberries with sugar and pumpkin pie spice in processor. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add apples, currants and flour and toss well.
• Roll out 1 dough disk between sheets of waxed paper to 13-inch round. Peel off top sheet of paper; invert dough into 9 1/2-inch-diameter deep-dish glass pie dish. Peel off paper. Fold under overhanging dough to form double-thick edge. Crimp edge. Roll out remaining dough disk on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch-thick round. Using 3-inch-long leaf cookie cutter, cut out leaves. Using knife, mark veins in leaves. Slightly mound filling in pie dish. Arrange leaves around edge of pie and all over top, overlapping decoratively. Brush pastry all over with buttermilk.
• Place pie on baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes. Cover pie with foil and continue baking until juices bubble thickly and crust browns, about 35 minutes more. Transfer pie to rack and cool 1 hour. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

APPLE PIE WITH CORNMEAL CRUST AND CARAMEL BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F Peel and core the apples, cut into thick wedges. In a large bowl mix together the first 8 ingredients: apples, flour, apple jelly, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and sugar. Let stand for 30 minutes gently strirring every few minutes.
• Prepare the cornmeal crust. Stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt into a large bowl. Cut butter and shortening into the flour mixture with pastry blender or fork until it resembles small peas. Mound the mixture into side of bowl. Drizzle half of the apple cider along the edge of the mixture in bowl. With fork gently toss a small amount of flour mixture with cider until dry ingredients are moistened. Repeat procedure with remaning cider and flour mixture. Gently gather dough into flat disks. Wrap in plastic and chill for 1 to 24 hours.
• Roll out one disk of dough into 1/8 inch thickness between two floured pieces of wax papers. Remove and discard top sheet of wax paper and place dough over a 9 inch glass pie plate removing the other sheet of wax paper.
• Stir apple mixture and reserve 1 tablespoons of juice. Spoon apples into crust, packing tightly and mounding in the center. Sprinkle apples with 3 tablespoons of sugar and dot with butter.
• Roll out the other disk of dough as directed before and place over filling. Fold edges under, sealing to bottom crust and crimp into fluted edges. Brush pie with reserved juice and sprinkle with sugar. Place pie on a jelly roll pan. Cut slits on top of pie to allow steam to escape.
• Bake at 425 F on lower oven rack for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 F and move pie to the middle oven rack. Bake for 35 more minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent crust from over browning and bake 30 more minutes. Pie is done when juices are thick and bubbly and crust is golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool.
• Prepare the caramel-brandy sauce. Bring whipping cram to a light boil in large saucepan; stirring occasionally. Add the sugar; stirring occasinally for about 4-5 minutes until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat add butter, brandy and vanilla and allow to cool.
• Serve the apple pie with the caramel-brandy sauce.

CORNMEAL PIE CRUST

Steps:

• 1. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.
• 2. Cut butter and shortening into flour mixture with a pastry blender until mixture resembles small peas. Push mixture to 1 side of bowl.
• 3. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. apple cider along edge of mixture in bowl. Using a fork, gently toss a small amount of flour mixture into cider just until dry ingredients are moistened; move mixture to other side of bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining cider and flour mixture.
• 4. Gently press dough into two flat disks. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 1 to 24 hours.
• 5. TIPS when ready to fill and bake: Place 1 Cornmeal Crust Dough disk on a lightly floured piece of wax paper; sprinkle dough lightly with flour. Top with another sheet of wax paper. Roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness (about 11 inches wide).
• 6. Remove and discard top sheet of wax paper. Starting at 1 edge of dough, wrap dough around rolling pin, separating dough from bottom sheet of wax paper as you roll. Discard bottom sheet of wax paper. Place rolling pin over a 9-inch glass pie plate, and unroll dough over pie plate. Gently press dough into pie plate.
• 7. Roll remaining Cornmeal Crust Dough disk as directed in Step 5, rolling dough to about 1/8-inch thickness (13 inches wide). Remove and discard wax paper, and place dough over filling; fold edges under, sealing to bottom crust, and crimp.

TURKEY POT PIE CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• To make filling: Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil and unsalted butter together. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 4 or 5 minutes. Add in flour until blended. Slowly stir in 2 cups of heated chicken stock, whisking well. Cook mixture over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Stir in chicken, peas, potato, carrots, salt, pepper and Tabasco®. Pour into a 2-quart ovenproof casserole dish coated with cooking spray and spread mixture evenly. To make crust: In a bowl, stir cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Stir milk, egg and canola oil until well combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Spoon the batter evenly on the filling. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes. Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Chicken-Pot-Pie-with-Cornbread-Crust#ixzz27zBNEBNn