CRUST

1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbs sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces & chilled
2 tbs shortening, chilled
4-6 tbs ice water

PEACH FILLING

4 cups peeled, pitted, & sliced peaches (about 1 1/4 lbs)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbs flour

GLAZE

1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup sugar

prepare the crust. in a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, & salt. using a pastry blender, 2 knives, or a fork, cut in the butter & shortening to make a crumbly dough. sprinkle the water a tablespoon at a time over the mixture & stir with a fork until a smooth dough forms.

OR, to make the dough in a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, & salt & pulse to mix. add the butter & shortening & process to make a crumbly dough, about 10-15 seconds. with the machine running, add the ice water a tablespoon at a time through the feed tube & process until the dough forms a ball.

shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, & refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

preheat the oven to 400°.

on a lightly floured board, roll out the dough to a rough circle 12 1/2″-13 1/2″ in diameter. fold the dough in half & then into quarters, for easy handling, & place on a nonstick baking sheet. unfold the dough.

prepare the filling. in a large bowl, toss the peaches with the sugar, cinnamon, & flour. arrange the peaches in the center of the crust, leaving a 2″ border. fold the edges of the crust in toward the center, pleating the dough where necessary. brush the border with the beaten & sprinkle with the sugar.

bake in the center of the oven for 40-45 minutes, until the crust is a golden brown & the peaches are tender. cool on the baking sheet.

loosen the pie gently with a spatula, & carefully move it to a plate.

makes one 9″ pie

NOTE: YOU CAN ALSO USE PLUMS, APPLES, OR NECTARINES.

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups water
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2-3 tbs grated orange peel
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbs lemon juice
1 (9″) pastry shell, baked

FROSTING

1/2 cup sugar
2 egg whites
2 tbs water
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted, optional

in a saucepan, combine sugar, flour & salt; gradually add water. cook & stir over medium-high for 2-3 minutes or until thickened & bubbly. remove from heat. gradually stir 1/2 cup into egg yolks (this is called “tempering”); return all to pan. bring to a gentle boil; cook & stir for 2 minutes. remove from heat; stir in orange & lemn peels. gently stir in juices. pour into pastry shell. cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. chill for at least 3 hours.

in a heavy saucepan or double boiler, combine sugar, egg whites, water, cream of tartar & salt. with a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. continue beating on low over low heat until frosting reaches 160°, about 8-10 minutes. with a stand mixer, beat on high until frosting forms stiff peaks, about 7 minutes. spread over chilled pie. just before serving, sprinkle with coconut. store in refrigerator.

6-8 servings