Apple pie

My second favorite desert (#1 is baklava).
Apple pie is far easier to buy at the grocery store or bakery but it is so much fun to make (even the kids can help).
The crust is the hardest part but also the most fun (it's quite messy).
Start with 2 1/4 cups flour, a bit less that a teaspoon of salt and 2/3 cups shortening (Crisco). In a large bowl and use your fingers to mix all the ingredients. Then add a tablespoon of cold water at a time while bringing the dough together to form a ball. When the ball holds together you are done (about 8-10 tablespoons). Doesn't that sound like fun?
Wrap it in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour. In the mean time peel and slice enough apples to yield about 6 cups. I used Courtland and Gala but others work also. Mix in about 3/4 cup sugar and about a teaspoon of cinnamon (optional) and let sit in a bowl for a few minutes.
Remove from wrap and split in 2 pieces. 2/3 for the bottom 1/3 for the top.
Sprinkle some flour on a flat surface and roll with a large rolling pin. Carefully lift and place on a 9" un-greased pie form ( I used a glass one).
Place the apples in the form taking care not to pour the liquid that will have formed on the bottom of the bowl with the apple sugar mix (it will make the pie soggy).
Roll the remaining dough and place over the apples. Use a fork to crimp the top and bottom layers of dough together. Trim the excess dough. Don't worry of it's not perfect. It's meant to be eaten not looked at!
Brush some milk or egg-wash (a beaten egg and water) on the top of the pie.
Use some aluminum foil to cover the edge of the pie. Bake for about 30 min at 375. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 min until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Serve warm with some vanilla ice-cream.
I made it yesterday and had it last night at my neighbor's house. Everyone seemed to like it.
I made two pies. One of them didn't have the pleasure of being eaten. They pie dish it was in shattered when we attempted to reheat it on the stove. So be careful when reheating glass oven dishes. They don't take well to sudden heat changes...