Eats + Sips

Sudara Eats: Mama’s Apple Pie and Thanksgiving Traditions

22
Nov
Our favorite recipes are the ones that are passed down from generation to generation or shared between friends — the ones that come to us on handwritten recipe cards or in a cookbook with scribbled notes along the edges.  And, this recipe is just that.  It was given to us by a sweet friend — whose mother gave it to her — with lots of comments like “mama always adds more cinnamon when I’m around because she knows how much I love it.”  We’ve slightly adapted the recipe from hers to make a lattice crust rather than crumble, but we are sharing both topping recipes with you because — seriously — how does one choose sides when it comes to apple pie?
This recipe has now become a family tradition of our own and requested each time we gather to celebrate a life or give thanks for all that we’ve been given. You can find the full recipe below as well as a few notes and thoughts from the Sudara team on family traditions, reasons we are thankful, and what we are most looking forward to eating this holiday.
We wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings and a day that is filled with traditions both new and old.
What we are most thankful for this year:

“In a time where it seems chaos is popping up all over the world, I am reminded of the gift of peace and safety. I’m so heavy-hearted for those who do not have it at the moment, and feel humbled that right now, I have been given the gift of remaining safe and sound.” — Kelly (creative team)

“My Mom is healthy.” — Elba (production operations)
“This sounds cliche but my amazingly supportive, loving, caring family. I’m also super thankful for fantastic adventures that I’ve gotten to take this year that included quality time with this ridiculously cool family of mine.” — Rachel (customer service)
“I find myself incredibly thankful on the daily for the little things; food on the table, roof over my head, a bed (that is the most uncomfortable, but hey, it’s a bed!), legs to walk, ears to hear, eyes to see… gosh I could go on forever.” — Liana (styling + graphic design)
“My freedom and my family.” — Eunice (warehouse manager)
“I’m most thankful for my wife’s wonderful support in our move to Texas.” — Ryan (marketing)

Family Thanksgiving traditions that we loved growing up (and still do!):
“My grandma started preparing for Thanksgiving a week before all my family started to arrive from different parts of Mexico.” — Elba
“We typically did Thanksgiving crafts with all of my family friends [who we celebrate thanksgiving with], this included [but was not limited to]: advent candles, thankful shirts [yes shirts….], Christmas ornaments, mod podge vases, pictures frames. It was always hilarious to spend time with great friends and family creating things focused around the reasons we were thankful. ” — Rachel
“My family always dresses their best on Thanksgiving day. Fall colors, new dresses, tights, boots, curled hair, button ups, the nines. And after dinner, we take our family Christmas card photo. The special part is seeing the family grow each year! My mom and dad had 6 kids. So adding husbands, boyfriends, and kiddos. We are on 17 people this year in our immediate family alone!” — Liana
“The only tradition we had was amazing turkey!” — Ryan

Thanksgiving traditions we hope to create with our own family:

“Carrying on traditions my parents created. My mom up before everyone else watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade while preparing the food. My dad and brother coming downstairs to change the channel to football (or the national dog show- my Argentine father always looks forward to that for some reason). Getting out the fancy silverware and wine glasses. Ironing our clothes and sisters curling their hair together in the bathroom. And best of all, surrounded by LOVE!” — Liana

It would not be Thanksgiving without…

“My mom.” — Elba
“Homemade pretzels, family, and quality time.” — Rachel
“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” — Eunice
“Turkey and great red wine.” — Ryan

Our absolute favorite Thanksgiving food…

“All the side dishes mixed together to form the most perfect savory sweet bite. Does that count? Because that is for sure what I look forward to the most!” — Kelly
“Apple pie.” — Elba
“Any type of bread.” — Rachel
“Sweet potato casserole with crushed corn flakes on top!” — Liana
“My daughter’s homemade pumpkin pie” — Eunice
“Smoked turkey!” — Ryan

 

Mamas Apple Pie

Mama’s Apple Pie

Original recipe adapted from this sweet woman’s mama
Apple filling:
7-9 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced thin (I use my food processor)
1/2 Cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Crumble topping:
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup flour
1/2 Cup butter

Crust (makes 2):
1 1/2 sticks very cold butter
3 Cups flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 T. sugar
1/3 Cup very cold crisco shortening
8ish Tablespoons ice water

1. Form crust (see recipe below) in pie plate and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 450F.
3. Cook sliced apples, 1/2 Cup sugar, and cinnamon in heavy-bottomed pot until soft and juices start to thicken.
4. Meanwhile, if you’re making the crumble topping: Mix other 1/2 cup sugar and flour, then cut in butter until crumbly to make topping. (I use my food processor to make the topping but it’s not a must have for this recipe!).
5. Spoon cooked apples into crust. Sprinkle crumble over apples OR assemble top/lattice crust over apples.
6. Bake in a 450F for 10 min then in 350F for 40 more minutes.

To make crust for apple pie:
Note: It’s very important that your ingredients are super cold.
1. Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in food processor. Dice up the cold butter and add it and the cold crisco to the processor and pulse about 10 times. Through the feeding tube pour ice water (but not the ice) and mix until it forms a ball of dough.
2. Dump it on your floured board and fashion into a ball.
3. Cover with saran wrap and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
4. When ready to use, cut the ball in half. You can freeze the other for another time or use it to make a top/lattice crust.
5. Roll the half on a board with a lot of flour on it and your rolling pin to your desired size.