Apple pie and custard

By: James Martin From: James Martin's Favourite Feasts

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This recipe is classed as intermediate

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Prep time:
15 mins
Cook time:
40 mins
Serves:
6-8

For the ultimate comfort pud, try James Martin's easy apple pie with home-made custard scented with vanilla and thyme

Ingredients

  • 500 g pack shortcrust pastry
  • plain flour, for dusting
  • 700 g cooking Apples, peeled, cored and thickly sliced
  • pinch Thyme
  • 50g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 50g brown sugar
  • 25g Butter
  • 1 Egg, beaten

For the custard

  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 300ml Milk
  • 300ml double cream
  • 4 sprigs fresh Thyme
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 100g caster sugar
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Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5.

2. Roll out two thirds of the pastry on a floured work surface and use to line a 23cm pie dish.

3. Tip the apple slices into a bowl with a pinch of thyme and the sugars, then stir gently to mix. Pile the mixture into the pastry-lined dish, dot with a little butter and leave to cool.

4. Once the filling has cooled, roll out the remaining pastry and lay it on top. Seal the edges well, then make a small hole in the top for steam to escape. Make decorations from any pastry trimmings and seal them with a little water. Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with caster sugar and bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.

5. For the custard: split open the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds into a heavy-based saucepan. Pour in the milk and cream, add the vanilla pod and thyme, then bring slowly to the boil.

6. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until they lighten in colour and thicken slightly.

7. Pass the custard through a sieve, discarding the vanilla pod and thyme. Rinse the saucepan and return the mixture to the pan. Put the saucepan over a low heat and cook the custard for 5-10 minutes, stirring all the time, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon - do not boil or the custard will curdle.

8. Serve with the hot apple pie.

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Latest Comment

View all comments (4)

I tried this combination recently for a group of foodie friends, while they enjoyed the apple pie the custard was the campion of the night.

MargaretM17936 MargaretM17936 Posted 24 May 2009 9:33 PM
 

I watched that same episode and James did cook the apples. I recall he said not over cook them, or they'll fall part. I find most of the recipes on tv are not the same "method to prepare" as written on the sites. confusing

gizzyC gizzyC Posted 22 Nov 2008 9:33 PM
 

Ive read the same as previous viewer - are apples etc to be placed in a saucepan and simmered - instead of being placed in a bowl? Fee 14

Fee01 Fee01 Posted 14 Oct 2008 1:24 PM
 

Sorry this receipe is not clear.What do you mean when you say put the filling to cool? Do you mean chill? When in the receipe did the apples get hot?

DorothyH4583 DorothyH4583 Posted 05 Oct 2008 12:52 PM