America’s 16^th president was born 201 years ago today.  We know so much about his life and accomplishments in office, but we know little about the foods he enjoyed.  The First Ladies Cookbook explains,  “Abraham Lincoln was a sparse eater, but his favorite light repast was apples.  The popular way to serve apples during the period corresponding with Lincoln’s life was apple pie, with a good coating of hot rum sauce.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S APPLE PIE WITH HOT RUM SAUCE

Your favorite recipe for a 2-crust pie, or 1 package (2 crusts) refrigerated pie crusts

6 medium tart green apples, pared, cored, and sliced 1/4″ thick

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces

Hot Rum Sauce (recipe follows)

1.  Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a 9-inch pie pan with one crust.  Place apples in a large mixing bowl; sprinkle in lemon juice and toss to coat.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Add sugar mixture to apples and toss gently to coat apples.  Spoon apple mixture into prepared pie pan.  Dot the top with the butter pieces.

2.  Cover pie with the top crust, fold over and under the crust in pan, and flute edges to seal.  Using the tip of a sharp knife, make small gashes over top of crust to allow steam to escape.

3.  Bake pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 375 and bake another 40 minutes, or until crust is nicely browned.  If edges are browning too quickly, cover edges with foil.  Remove from oven and let pie cool on a wire rack.  Slice pie into wedges and serve with hot rum sauce.  Serves 8.

HOT RUM SAUCE

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk, scalded

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 cup light rum

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients in a small saucepan.  Stir in scalded milk and bring rapidly to a boil; reduce heat.  Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and clear, about 3-5 minutes.  Stir a small amount of the hot sauce into beaten egg and mix thoroughly; immediately return to pan, stirring constantly.  Cook and stir over low heat 3-4 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in rum and vanilla until well blended.  Serve sauce warm over pie slices.

Categories: Better Recipes, Celebrations and Parties, Holidays, Sweet Tooth | Tags: Dessert Recipes, Easy Recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes
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