COMMENT:
Although apple pie is considered America's favorite, most people avoid making it because they consider it difficult. I have solved the problem! Try this simple, black skillet version with biscuit topping and you'll see what I mean.

INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING:

• 5 each Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced thin
• 1/4 pound butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsps flour

METHOD:
To prepare filling, melt butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple slices, lemon juice and vanilla and cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. In a bowl, mix sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cornstarch and gently stir mixture into apples. Continue to cook until apples are soft but not mushy, approximately 5 minutes.

INGREDIENTS FOR TOPPING:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 tsps baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled
• 1 cup half and half
• 3/4 tsp vanilla

METHOD:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Using 2 knives or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk and vanilla and quickly blend together with a spatula. To assemble the pie, drop heaping tablespoons of biscuit mixture on top of apples, covering most of the center of the mixture. Sprinkle top with remaining sugar and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden. Remove pie from oven and let stand for at least 5 minutes before serving.