Fantastic Berry Pie

This pie can be used with any type of berry you wish, and can be easily adapted to your liking.

Serve it warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or eat it with a nice mug of warm tea. Or, put a cutout of pie dough over the top, in the shape of a pi symbol to celebrate Pi Day with your family and friends!

CRUST:

• 2 cups AP flour
• 1 tbs sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cups shortening
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 3 tbsp very cold water
• 1 tbs white vinegar

FILLING:

• 1 ⅓ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp quick cooking tapioca
• 2 tbs cornstarch
• 5-6 cups fresh or (thawed) frozen berries

OTHER:

• 1 tbs butter

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• a scoop of vanilla ice cream
  
• whipped cream on top
• cut outs of dough laid over the crust before baking

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, & salt. Cut in shortening (If you don't have a pastry cutter to do so, you can find instructions on how to do it without one here.) until the mixture looks like large, coarse crumbs.

In another bowl, combine water, egg, & vinegar.

Stir the liquid mix into the flour mixture, and combine until JUST moistened. Divide the dough in half, although make one portion slightly larger than the other. Mold each dough section into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough balls for about half an hour, or until it is easy to handle.

While the dough is chilling, combine sugar, tapioca, corn starch, & berries in another bowl.

Let the filling stand for 15 minutes.

Once the dough balls are finished chilling, take the larger dough ball and roll it on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9 inch pan.

Transfer this dough to your pie pan & trim edges. Add your filling, and dot the edges with butter so you can seal your pie. Roll the other dough ball to fit the top of the pie, and place it over the top. Trim, seal, and flute the edges.

(You can flute the edges in a number of ways: with a fork, using a pinching method, or using a more elaborate method, likes braiding.)

Cut five slits in the top of the pie. Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 350 F for 50-55 minute, or until crust is golden brown.

Make sure the pie has cooled thoroughly before eating!!