Best Mexican Fruit Pies By Freda Recipes

PINEAPPLE PIE

Steps:

• Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter to the flour mixture. With the help of a fork, mix until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal, then add the eggs one by one and continue mixing with the fork or a pastry cutter.
• Place the dough on a work surface (that is lightly dusted with flour) where you can knead it with your hands. If the dough is very dry, add the two tablespoons of cold milk little by little.
• Divide the dough into two pieces, then press down on them to form two disks. Cover them with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least a half hour. Remove from the fridge when you're ready to bake, and the filling is completely cold.
• To roll the dough, use a rolling pin to flatten each disk on a floured surface. Flatten each piece out to form a circle about 12 inches in diameter and 1/8 of an inch thick. Line your pie dish with the first one and use the other to cover the pie after you've added the filling.
• Place the pineapple (chopped into large cubes), sugar, and cinnamon stick in a large pot. Turn the heat to low.
• In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the cup of water until it has completely dissolved, then pour this mixture into the pot with the pineapples and stir.
• Keep cooking the pineapple mixture for about 10 more minutes, after which it will begin to thicken, like if you were making a gruel. Once it thickens and changes into a more transparent color, keep cooking for 5 more minutes, then remove it from the heat and allow to cool and discard cinnamon stick. The filling needs to be completely cool when added to the pie crust.
• Line the pie dish with the first disk of dough and pour the pineapple filling over it. Put the other disk of dough over the filling and cut a small vent on the top. Trim the excess dough from the edge of the pie and press down on it to form a seal between the top and bottom halves. Crimp the edge of the dough with your fingers, then brush the top surface of the pie with the beaten egg yolk.
• Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 50 to 60 minutes. When the pie is ready, it will have a golden crust and the filling will be bubbling.

AGUAS FRESCAS (MEXICAN FRUIT COOLERS)

Steps:

• Stir the sugar and water together in a large pitcher until the sugar dissolves. Measure out 1 cup. Puree the fruit and the 1 cup sugar water in a blender. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer back into the pitcher with the sugar water, mashing with a whisk or wooden spoon to eliminate any pulp.
• Taste and add more sugar, if desired. Serve over ice, with a lemon or lime wedge, if desired.

PASTELITOS -- LITTLE FRUIT PIES (SOUTHWEST)

Steps:

• FOR THE FILLING: In a saucepan, put apricots in cold water & simmer gently until fruit is soft, about 30 minutes, then drain.
• In a food processor or blender, puree the apricots, then return the puree to the saucepan, add the brown sugar & cook until puree is very thick, about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove puree from heat, then add raisins & nuts, & set aside to cool.
• FOR THE DOUGH: While the puree is cooling, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder & salt, then cut in the butter & shortening until pea-size pieces form.
• Add just enough ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to make the flour stick together, then shape into a flattened ball, wrap in plastic & refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• When the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, then cut the flattened ball in half & roll one of the halves out on a GREASED baking sheet.
• Spread the fruit mixture on top, ALMOST to the edge.
• Roll out the second half of the dough large enough to cover the fruit mixture, then place it on top, before pressing the edges together all around to seal.
• In a small container, whisk together the 1/3 cup of sugar & 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, then sprinkle that on top of the prepared pastry. Finally, with the blunt edge of a table knife, mark the pastry into small squares & prick each square with a fork ~ There should be about 30 small squares marked off.
• Bake about 20 minutes, or until pastry is lightly browned, then cool & cut into the marked squares.

FRESAS CON CREMA

Steps:

• Remove and discard the stems from the strawberries. Slice the fruit into thin slices and transfer to a medium bowl.
• In a large mixing bowl, add sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Whisk together to combine.
• Scoop 1/2 cup sliced strawberries into 6 bowls or cups. Then top each cup with 1/2 cup sweet cream mixture.
• Serve immediately with a spoon or store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

MEXICAN FRUIT PIES BY FREDA

Steps:

• Heat oil to 375.
• Fill tortillas with 1-2 TBS Apple Pie filling, or Peach. Your Choice. Roll as for Burritos, add toothpick to keep closed.
• Place in hot oil in deep fryer, Turn till golden brown. Remove from Deep fryer into Cinnamon and Sugar mixture. Sprinkle or toss into Cinn. Sugar Mixture.
• TO SERVE: Place on Plate, add scoop of ice cream, or whip cream. Sprinkle with More Cinnamon and Sgr, and drizzle with Honey, or Caramel. ENJOY . . so easy so good.

NEW MEXICAN APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Cut the lard into 1/2-inch cubes; transfer to a plate and freeze at least 1 hour. Combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with 2 knives until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of lard (do not overmix). A little at a time, stir in 1/2 to 1 cup ice water until the dough holds together when squeezed; the amount of water will vary depending on the humidity. (You can also make the dough in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.) Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; use the plastic to help form each half into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Make the filling: Combine the apples, flour, turbinado sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, lemon juice, green chiles and pine nuts in a large bowl and toss. Let sit 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Roll out 1 disk of dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Ease into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, then spoon the filling into the crust. Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a 12-inch round; lay the dough over the filling. Press the 2 crusts together around the edge, then fold the overhanging dough under itself and crimp with your fingers. Cut a few slits in the top crust or prick with a fork to let steam escape. Whisk the egg with 1/4 cup water and brush over the top crust. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
• Bake, rotating the pie every 20 minutes, until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Serve with ice cream.

FRESH NO-BAKE FRUIT PIE

Steps:

• Thoroughly combine strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries in a bowl. Scoop out 3/4 cup of mixed berries and place into a saucepan with 1 cup water and sugar; set remaining berries aside. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Whisk cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a bowl until smooth and stir the cornstarch mixture into the hot fruit syrup; stir until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Pour the thickened berry mixture into fresh berries until thoroughly combined; pour berries and sauce into shortbread pie crust. Place in refrigerator until chilled, at least 1 hour.