Pork and Apple Pie with Cheddar-Sage Crust

Savory-sweet deep-dish pie of spiced ground pork topped with tender apple wedges, all wrapped in a flaky cheddar-and-sage crust and baked until golden brown.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425° and set a rack to the second-to-bottom position.

Step 2

Prepare the crust: In a medium-size bowl, whisk together flour, sage, and salt. Sprinkle butter cubes over flour mixture and use your fingers to work them in (rub your thumb against your fingertips, smearing the butter as you do), until the mixture looks like cornmeal, with plenty of small lumps.

Step 3

Use a fork to stir in cheese. Sprinkle 6 tablespoons ice water, and stir with a fork until dough begins to come together. If needed, add another tablespoon or two of ice water.

Step 4

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead three times. Gather dough into a ball; then divide into two portions, one slightly bigger. Press each portion into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 3 days).

Step 5

Make the filling: In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook apples without any oil, stirring gently, until they just begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 6

Add oil to pan and increase heat to medium-high. Add onion, pork, brown sugar, salt, and spices. Cook, using a wooden spoon to break up meat, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Step 7

Let meat mixture cool 10 minutes; then transfer to a food processor. Add breadcrumbs and pulse five times until mixture has the texture of coarse sand. Set aside.

Step 8

Prepare the crust: Sprinkle counter with flour; then unwrap larger dough disk and turn in flour to coat. Working from center, roll dough out, turning it as you go to keep it from sticking, until you have a 13-inch circle. Roll dough up around a rolling pin and transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Press crust into sides, draping any excess over the edge.

Step 9

Unwrap smaller dough disk and roll out to an 11-inch circle. Set aside.

Step 10

Pour meat mixture into bottom crust and smooth gently with a spatula. Arrange cooked apple slices over meat, pressing down to smooth and neaten.

Step 11

Lay top crust over pie. Using a sharp knife, make two 3-inch slashes in the crust to let steam escape. Fold edges of bottom crust up over top, and crimp to seal.

Step 12

Brush crust with egg wash and decorate with sage leaves if you like.

Step 13

Bake 10 minutes; then lower heat to 375° and bake until crust is golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes more.

Step 14

Let cool 25 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.