Asian Pear Pie

 

2 1/3

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon salt

3/4

cup shortening

5

to 7 tablespoons cold ginger ale

1/2

cup packed light brown sugar

1/2

teaspoon five-spice powder

6

cups thinly sliced peeled pears (about 6 large)

2

tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1

tablespoon butter

1

egg white, lightly beaten

1

tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1 In medium bowl, mix 2 cups of the flour and the salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with ginger ale, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl. Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half. Shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable.
• 2 Heat oven to 500°F. In small bowl, mix remaining 1/3 cup flour, the brown sugar and five-spice powder. In large bowl, gently toss pears and lemon juice; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture and toss again.
• 3 On lightly floured surface, roll one round of pastry into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths and place in pie plate. Unfold pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Spoon filling into pastry-lined plate; dot with butter.
• 4 Trim overhanging edge of bottom pastry 1/2 inch from rim of plate. Roll other round of pastry. Fold into fourths and cut slits so steam can escape. Place pastry over filling and unfold; trim, seal and flute edge. Brush top with egg white. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place pie plate on a cookie sheet. Place in oven.
• 5 Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours.