Speedy Streusel Apple Pie
Posted by Rini

1 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 egg, separated
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
5-6 medium red baking apples, such as Jonathan (about 6 cups)
1 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Powdered sugar
Vanilla ice cream or thawed, frozen whipped topping (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400?F. Let pie crusts stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Place one pie crust in a deep dish pie plate, gently pressing dough into bottom and up sides. In a bowl, separate egg white from yolk. (Set yolk aside for another use.) Whisk egg white until frothy. Brush egg white over bottom and halfway up sides of crust; set crust aside.

2. For streusel, finely dice remaining crust (it is not necessary to unfold crust); place in a bowl. Chop pecans. Add pecans, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon to batter bowl; toss and set mixture aside.

3. For filling, core and slice apples, leaving peel on; cut slices into quarters. Juice lemon to measure 2 teaspoons juice. In large colander bowl, combine apples, lemon juice and vanilla; toss to coat. In small colander bowl, combine cornstarch, remaining sugar and remaining cinnamon; mix well. Add cornstarch mixture to apples; stir to coat evenly. Spoon apple mixture into crust. Sprinkle streusel evenly over apples.

4. Place pie in microwave oven. Microwave on HIGH 8 minutes or until apples are very hot, rotating dish after 4 minutes. Immediately place pie on bottom rack of conventional oven. Bake 18-22 minutes or until topping is deep golden brown. Remove pie from oven to cooling rack; let stand 15 minutes.

5. Sprinkle powdered sugar over pie. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings or 16 sample servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 420, Total Fat 17 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Carbohydrate 67 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 200 mg, Fiber 3 g

Cook's Tip: When a microwave oven is not available, place apples, lemon juice and vanilla in Stir-Fry Skillet. Stir gently over medium-high heat until apples are very hot and slightly tender; remove from heat. Add cornstarch mixture; stir to coat evenly. Spoon hot apple mixture into crust; sprinkle with topping. Bake in conventional oven as directed in step #4