French Apple Pie

What makes an apple pie a French apple pie? Simply, it is the topping. Traditionally fruit pies have flaky pastry tops not a buttery sugar crumble one. Since this topping does consist of brown sugar I tend to make the apple filling more spicy apple then a sugary sweet apple filling. It creates a fine balance between comforting spice and just a touch of sweetness. Make your favourite apple pie or fruit pie recipe however try this on top.

French Apple Pie Crumb Topping   (for a 9" pie) 

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1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup all purpose flour 
1/2 cup rolled oats (optional)

Mix all ingredients together until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of filled pie. Bake at 400ºF for 45 to 55 minutes. Serve warm. 

Notes: I add about 1/2 cup of quick cooking oats to the crumble topping. To add a bit of a Canadian flavour you can toss the apple filling in some maple syrup along with whatever spices you may use: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cardamom, nutmeg... etc. 

My Week in Food

As you know I made cornbread yesterday. I used a different recipe this time and it turned out fine. I replaced the flour with cornflour and still used the amount of cornmeal the recipe asked for. The texture was soft and smooth which in turn made it crumbly... too crumbly. Since the recipe called for a 1/2 cup sugar the cornbread was a bit on the sweet side. I like a bit of sweetness however not major sweetness when it comes to cornbread. 

This chili had a nice level of spiciness which gave an even heat. Which in turn helped my cold a bit. There are leftovers and as this chili ages... or sits it will get more spicier. I am planning on doing Chili Dogs for dinner on Friday with the leftovers. Hopefully by that time this cold will be gone and I will be able to enjoy the spiciness for pure spiciness sake!

When one has an overabundance of apples then an apple pie is definitely going in the oven. Making it in a flan pan completely turned this classic dessert into more of a substantial deep dish apple pie.  

This morning I made a simple spaghetti meat sauce and if any leftovers are to be had, it will be going on the pizza's I am making for dinner on Saturday night. 


As more comfort... food is being dished out from the kitchen I am feeling a bit better today although this cold is lingering. Hope your week has been good so far! - JW