Recipe: All-American Apple Turnovers

All-American Apple Turnovers
rec.food.baking/Traci & Jeff Poole (2000)
Makes 10

These turnovers are best with at least two varieties of firm cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Jonathan, Winesap & Golden Delicious, for differences in texture and acidity. Sweet spices optional.

2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 large apples (about 1-1//2 lbs) peeled, cored & cut in 1/4-inch dice (3 cups)
1/2 cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup unsweetened apple butter
2 tbsp dried currants (optional)
1 tsp lemon zest -- finely grated
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 pinch ground cloves -- (optional)
1 pinch ground allspice -- (optional)

(Use favorite pastry)

Melt butter in a large nonreactive skillet over mod. high heat. Add 2 c of diced apples & cook, stirring frequently, 'til they begin to color, about 5 min. Stir in cider, sugar, lemon juice & salt; reduce heat to mod. & cook 'til the liquid is reduced & the apples appear almost dry but still retain their shape, about 5 min. longer. Remove skillet from heat & stir in apple butter, currants, lemon zest, cinnamon, cloves & allspice, along w remaining 1 c of raw chopped apple. Transfer apple mixture to a med. bowl & refrigerate, uncovered, till cooled completely.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pastry dough to an 18x20" rectangle, 1/16th inch thick. Using a 6" plate or bowl as a guide, cut out eight, 6" rounds as close together as possible. Gather and reroll the dough scraps, then cut out 2 additional rounds.

Spoon the cooled apple filling on the lower half of each of the rounds. Lightly moisten the edges of the rounds with water and fold the dough over the filling to form semicircular turnovers. Press down on the edges to seal, first with your fingers, then with the tines of a fork. Using back of a small knife, press into sealed edges at 1/2-inch intervals to create a scalloped effect. Transfer turnovers to a heavy baking sheet & refrigerate at least 15 min.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush turnovers with egg wash. Using a sharp knife, cut 2 small slits in top of each turnover to vent steam.

Bake turnovers in mid. of oven for 10 min. Move them to the upper rack & bake for 8-10 min. longer, or 'til pastry is a deep golden brown and filling begins to bubble. Let cool on rack.