Recipe: Chinese Menu Nut and Fruit Pie

CHINESE MENU NUT AND FRUIT PIE

FOR THE CRUST:
1 1/2 cups flour, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, cold
1/4 cup ice water
FOR THE FILLING:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup chopped pecans
- OR chopped almonds
- OR chopped hazelnuts
- OR chopped peanuts
- OR chopped macadamia nuts
- OR chopped walnuts
- OR chopped cashew nuts
1 cup chopped cranberries
- OR chopped apples
- OR chocolate chips
- OR chopped pears
- OR chopped dried apricots
- OR shredded coconut
- OR white chocolate
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- OR caramel extract
- OR almond extract
- OR maple extract
- OR coconut extract
- OR banana extract
- OR rum extract

PREPARE DOUGH FOR CRUST:
Mix flour and salt; sift. Using 2 knives, cut margarine into flour mixture. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until just combined. Form dough into disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.

PREPARE CRUST:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

On a floured surface using a floured rolling pin, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Roll up on pin; set pin on edge of pie plate. Unroll to cover plate; press gently. Trim excess. With knuckle, push dough outward while using your thumb and index finger on opposite hand to pinch edge together.

Bake 10 minutes; cool.

PREPARE FILLING:
Select nut, fruit and extract flavor. In 1-quart measuring cup, combine remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared piecrust.

Bake 55 minutes, or until knife inserted halfway comes out clean. Cool.

Servings: 8
Adapted from source: First for Women, 2003-1124