STICKY CARAMEL-APPLE PIE

Steps:

• Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the shortening in large chunks and blend with a pastry blender. Drizzle the ice water over the flour mixture and cut into/across the dough repeatedly with a rubber spatula. The quicker the pastry is made, the better. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Slice the apples a 1/4 inch thick. Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a large frying pan and sauté the apples until soft on the outside. Add 1 cup sugar and the cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Take the apples out of the pan and arrange them on a plate or cookie sheet to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Add the remaining 4 tbsp of butter and 1 cup brown sugar and cook, (medium heat) for 2 minutes. Add 1 tsp of baking soda and stir. Don't be afraid of he colour it turns, that's because of the baking soda, it's keeps it from hardening. The great thing about this caramel is it tastes like caramel apples because the apples were cooked in the butter.
• Take the pastry dough out of the fridge and role it out into 2 12 inch circles. place one in a 10 inch pie pan.
• Combine the caramel and the pre-cooked apples in a bowl and transfer into the pie crust. Place the second round of pastry over the pie and seal around the edges, rolling up any excess dough. Using a sharp knife, cut 4 slits in the top layer of pastry, to prevent explosion. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
• When the pie comes out of the oven, make sure you let it cool for at least 4 hours before eating it so it can set.