Apple Pie for Mom

 Apple Pie for Mom

1/2 C granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces), plus 1 teaspoon 
1/4 C packed light brown sugar (1 3/4 ounces) 
1/4 t salt 
1 T lemon juice 
1/2 t grated lemon zest 
1/8 t ground cinnamon 
2 1/2 lbs tart apples (firm), about 5 medium, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 
2 1/2 lbs sweet apples (firm), about 5 medium, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 recipe Monette's Pie Crust, form into 2 discs, wrap in plastic and refrigerate minimum 1 hour
1 egg white, beaten lightly

 Mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, zest, and cinnamon in large bowl; add apples and toss to combine. Transfer apples to a large pot (do not wash bowl) and cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, until apples are tender when poked with fork but still hold their shape, 15 to 20 minutes. (Apples and juices should gently simmer during cooking.) Transfer apples and juices to rimmed baking sheet and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. While apples cool, adjust oven rack to lowest position, place empty rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 425.

Remove 1 disk of dough from refrigerator and roll out between 2 large sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap to 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. (If dough becomes soft and/or sticky, return to refrigerator until firm.) Remove parchment from one side of dough and flip onto 9-inch pie plate; peel off second layer of parchment. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave dough that overhangs plate in place; refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, roll second disk of dough between 2 large sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap to 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate, leaving dough between parchment sheets, until firm, about 30 minutes.

 Set large colander over now-empty bowl; transfer cooled apples to colander. Shake colander to drain off as much juice as possible (cooked apples should measure about 8 cups); discard juice. Transfer apples to dough-lined pie plate; sprinkle with lemon juice.

Remove parchment from one side of remaining dough and flip dough onto apples; peel off second piece of parchment. Pinch edges of top and bottom dough rounds firmly together. Cut four 2-inch slits in top of dough (or make a design). Brush surface with beaten egg white and sprinkle evenly with remaining teaspoon sugar.

Set pie on preheated baking sheet; bake until crust is golden brown, 45 to 55 minutes. Transfer pie to wire rack and cool at least 1 1/2 hours. Cut into wedges and serve.

** A few years ago, I asked my Mom, "If your Mom was alive and she offered to make you anything for your birthday, what would you say?"  She answered apple pie.  So I ventured to make my first apple pie.  It wasn't anything special, but it tasted good.  Last year she requested Pecan Wedges.  So this year, I wanted to give the apple pie another try.  This is it, the deep dish apple pie of all apple pies! So fresh, tart, sweet, salty and HUGE!  Amazing with Breyers natural vanilla ice cream!
**I made it a day ahead and warmed up individual slices upon request.  It actually felt a bit healthy because of how many apples were in there.  One note: I think I'll add a touch more sugar to the apples next time.
**I used my mandolin for slicing the apples and it was super fast!
**Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen