DEEP DISH APPLE PIE

3 tablespoons butter
2 pounds Granny Smith Apples, sliced
2 pounds Mclntosh Apples, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch of nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup pecan pieces
1 recipe pie dough, recipe follows
4 ounces Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
8 scoops of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter. Add the apples and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the sugars, lemon juice and flour. Continue to sauté for 2 minutes. Season the apples with nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly and remove from the heat. Cool the mixture. Cut the dough into 2 halves. Lightly dust the surface with flour. Roll out each half of dough to 12 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick. Fold one circle of dough in fourths. Carefully lift the dough and place in a 10 inch deep dish pie pan. Unfold the pie dough and spoon the apples into the pie shell. Place the second round of dough over the apples. Using a sharp knife, cut away the excess dough. Using your fingers, crimp the edges of the pie firmly to seal the dough completely. With the same sharp knife, make three slits, about 4 inches long and 2 inches apart, across the pie dough. Place the pie in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Return the pie to the oven and continue to cook for 8 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Yield: 8 servings

Pie Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the shortening and work it in with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and work it in with your hands. Add only as much as you need for a smooth ball of dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oil. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough on the floured surface into a rectangle about 24 by 8 inches and 1/8 inch thick.