FRIED APPLE PIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour with the salt and sugar in a large bowl. Toss half the butter and lard in the flour to coat, then use a pastry blender or knives or your fingers to cut in the fats until pea sized or a bit smaller. Toss the rest of the butter and lard into the mixture, then cut in again until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some larger chunks of fat throughout.
• Use your finger to draw a trench down the center of the mixture, and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the water down the trench and around the outside of the flour. Toss the flour with the water using your fingers or a rubber spatula. Repeat until the dough comes together in shaggy chunks. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and use the heel of your hand to smear pieces of dough away from you. Gather the dough together with a pastry scraper and press into a large disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate a few hours before using.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough just slightly thicker than 1/8-inch. Cut out 5-inch circles, place on parchment on a baking sheet, and chill while you prepare the filling.
• Melt the butter in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the Calvados and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the apples and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the lemon juice, cinnamon and ginger and cook until the apples are caramelized and just cooked through, about 10 minutes longer. Scrape into a shallow bowl or onto a baking sheet and let cool to room temperature.
• Place 1 of the dough circles on a flat surface and place a few tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each circle of dough. Brush a little cold water around the circumference of the dough and fold it in half so the other side comes down over the apple filling. Seal the pie and make a decorative edge by pressing the edges of the dough together with the back of a fork. Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to chill for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 360 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fry the pies, 2 at a time until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Let drain for 10 seconds then toss with the cinnamon sugar. Serve.