Thanksgiving AAR

In the Army, when you host an event, field exercise, organization day, etc., you are required (or maybe it was just me?) to draft an AAR: After Action Report.  I have found the AAR to be particularly useful in my everyday life as well.  Specifically when it comes to cooking and trips home! 

This Thanksgiving was quite possibly the best Thanksgiving yet!  Not only did we spend it at my Aunt Wink and Uncle Mikey's house, but friends from Fort Lewis were able to join us!  My dear friend Jenn and her family recently moved to California from Hawaii and didn't have Thanksgiving plans.  My auntie immediately said to bring them!  I haven't seen Jenn since Jeremy and I got married 3 1/2 years ago!  Since then we've both moved twice and had babies!  So fun to meet her little one Hannah!

It was so fun to see my aunties and cousins.  My Auntie Val and Cousin Tori finally got to meet Owen who was quite the Turkey.

Every year, my sissy makes the very best apple pie I have EVER consumed.  And this year was no different.  Except for the fact that I helped peel the apples and then promptly clogged my parents' plumbing thus requiring a plumber on Thanksgiving Eve at 9 PM.  SWEET.  You MUST try this pie, it is AMAZING!!!!!!

Autumn Apple Pie

Ingredients

Pastry for single crust 9" pie

3/4 to 1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind (optional)

6 cups sliced, pared tart cooking apples, 1/4" thick (Em always uses Granny Smith)

Topping

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese (The secret ingredient!!  Amazing!!)

Instructions

1.  Prepare pastry and line a heatproof pie dish.

2.  Mix together sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and grated lemon rind.  Add to prepared apples, tossing lightly to combine.

3.  Fill pastry with apple pie filling. 

4.  Prepare topping by cutting butter into dry ingredients until crumbly.  Stir in cheese.  Sprinkle evenly over apple filling.

5.  Bake at 425* for 50 to 55 minutes.  Cover topping with aluminum foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over browning.

Serve with real whipped cream - Bon Appetit!