Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that's both easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further! This peach pie recipe, featuring tapioca for a unique and delightful twist, is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or special occasions. Forget those complicated, time-consuming pie recipes; this one delivers amazing results with minimal effort. It's a fantastic example of homemade cooking at its finest, resulting in a delicious dish the whole family will adore. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for easy recipes or quick dinner ideas that still feel special.
Ingredients:
-
For the Filling:
- 6 cups fresh sliced peaches (about 6 medium peaches)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup tapioca pearls (small or quick-cooking)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
-
For the Crust: (You can use store-bought pie crust for even quicker results!)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
Instructions:
Making the Peach Filling:
- Prepare the peaches: Wash and slice the peaches. Remove any pits. The thickness of your slices depends on your preference; thinner slices will cook faster.
- Combine filling ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches, sugar, tapioca pearls, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until the peaches are evenly coated. Let this mixture sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the tapioca to absorb some of the juices. This helps thicken the filling beautifully.
Making the Pie Crust (from scratch):
- Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
Assembling and Baking the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Add the filling: Pour the peach filling into the pie crust.
- Top the pie: Roll out the remaining dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and thickened. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
Tips for Success:
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar, or a combination of both.
- Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling for extra thickening.
- If you don’t have fresh peaches, you can use frozen peaches (thawed and drained).
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes a wonderful accompaniment.
Variations:
- Spiced Peach Pie: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom to the filling for a warming spice kick.
- Peach Raspberry Pie: Incorporate 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries into the filling.
- Streusel Topping: Make a simple streusel topping by combining oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter, then sprinkle it over the pie before baking.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 50-60g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
This recipe offers a healthy balance of sweetness and fruit, making it a delicious and satisfying dessert. Enjoy this easy and delicious peach pie, perfect for any occasion! It’s a great example of healthy meals you can whip up without too much fuss. This is definitely one of the best recipes for a comforting and flavorful treat.