490. Peach Hand Pies

Growing up, it is natural one's tastes develop.
Ten out of ten times, I would pick chocolate over any form of fruit dessert. Now, while I still love almost anything chocolate, I find myself picking pomegranate sorbet over triple chocolate fudge icecream; berry terrine over chocolate custard, and blueberry hand pies over chocolate chip cookies. I still love all these things, but they are not the obvious choice anymore.
Nor were these peach pies. If they were not made by Simply So Good, I probably would never have thought of trying them. I tried them warm, they were okay. I tried them again completely cooled, and I loved them!

Ingredients:

For the crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small dice
1/4 cup ice-cold water

For the filling:
3 cups fresh peaches, peeled and diced (about 5-6 peaches)
1/2 a lemon, juice
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
pinch of salt

To assemble:
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar

Method:

Prepare pastry crust: In a food processor, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and butter. Process until incorporated.
Add the cold water until thoroughly incorporated.
Put dough onto a piece of plastic wrap, divide it equally in two, and form each piece of dough into a flat, round disc. Wrap them with the plastic and chill for at least one hour and up to two days.
It can also be frozen for up to three months.
To make the filling:  Peel, pit and dice about 5-6 peaches.  Place in a large bowl.  Add a squeeze of lemon, cornstarch, sugar, almond extract and salt.  Stir then set aside.
Roll out pie dough into a large 1/8 inch thick rectangle. Using a cup, cut circles in the dough. I got 30 circles, making 15 pies.
Place circles on each baking sheet. Brush edges with cream. Spoon a heaving tablespoon of peach filling into the center of each circle.
Top with second circle of dough. Crimp edges with a fork so seal.
Brush top of pie with cream and sprinkle with sugar.  Repeat until there are 15 hand pies.
Bake in a preheat 400 degree oven for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 15 hand pies.

صحة و عافية