Green Chili Apple Pie

Yes, I said green chili apple pie!  Interesting but delicious?  Definitely!!!  I am totally giving my husband all the credit on this one.  This was his idea, and he made it, almost completely on his own.  I rolled out the crust for him.  He can cook, very well, but he has never made a pie before, and usually stays away from deserts.  But this one he just could not get off his mind, and I am sharing it with you!

We are addicted to food television.  There is one show in particular, Unique Sweets, on the Cooking Channel, that got my husband hooked on the pie idea.  On a side note, this show will seriously spark some sweet (and savory) cravings!!!  Breads, pies, doughnuts, gelato pops, etc...  I want to make it all and eat it all!  Any who, this pie was featured on one show, and really is an excellent example of combining sweet and savory flavors for a unique, delicious treat.  I do not usually like fruit pies, but this one had me coming back for another bite, and another, and another.

The pie crust is flaky and has a hint of cheddar cheese, and the filling has the same sweet flavor in an ordinary apple pie, but a tang and hint of spice from the green chili's.  It sounds odd, but the flavors work together to create a delightful explosion of yumminess!  Here is the recipe which you can also get from http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/green-chile-apple-pie-recipe/index.html.  This was also featured in the NY Times, and there is a variation of the recipe there too.  This is my husband's variation, a mix of the two.  It is so good!

Ingredients:

Pie Crust:
1/3 cup chilled unsalted butter
1 cup flour
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
pinch of salt
about 5 tbsp. cold water


Filling:
4 - 5 large tart apples (use Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Honeycrisp) peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup green chilies (Hatch chilies, roasted and chopped.  Watch the heat as you can get them mild or hot.  Canned are acceptable.)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of salt
juice of 1/2 lemon


Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter


Directions:


For the crust:  Cut the butter into the flour and salt until you have a sand-like consistency with pea size lumps of butter.  I have found using your hands is best for this.  Add the cheese and toss gently.  Slowly add water, 1 tbsp. at a time until the dough just comes together.  Form a disc, wrap and chill for at least an hour.  Once the dough is chilled, roll out dough and place in a 9-inch pie pan.  Crimp the edges.


Preheat the oven to 425°.  


For the filling:  In a large bowl, combine the apples, chilies, granulated sugar, cornstarch, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice.  Mix well and pour into the pie crust, including all the juices.


For the walnut streusel:  In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, sugar, and butter.  Mix until crumbly.  Sprinkle on top of the pie filling.


Bake for 10 minutes.  Then turn the oven down to 375° and bake for 30 - 40 minutes longer, until the juices are bubbling and the crust has lightly browned.


Cool and enjoy!  Fell free to try with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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