The Crust: A Foundation of Flaky Goodness

Grandma always swore by her own crust recipe. Forget store-bought; this is where the real magic happens. You'll need:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, ice cold and cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup ice water

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender or using your fingertips, cut in the ice-cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix! Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial because it will prevent shrinkage and result in a flaky crust. Trust me on this one; I've learned the hard way!

How to Serve and Eat: Slice of Heaven

A scoop of cold vanilla ice cream is the perfect accompaniment, but seriously, this pie can easily be enjoyed on its own. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy to the last crumb, knowing how much love went into preparing it. This is a recipe, but deeper in meaning, it connects to the past-the taste of home, a fragment of my heart.