Okie Girl Eats: Fried Pies

Last night was fried pie night at our house.  We are pie bakers by heredity but fried pies seems to have dropped off our menus.  I decided we needed to do something about that.  So my mom dug out my Grandma Lois' hand written recipe and we got busy.  I can imagine fried pies were a hit with Okie's because you didn't need an oven. (not to mention because they are yummy!)  I had imagined Solanah coming over and us baking beautiful fried pies to perfection.  Of course my girls wanted to help and Ruth's best friend Keziah was invited over.  My nephew Josh and his little boy Oliver came for dinner. (it was one of the few times I make an all vegan dinner)  The excitement over the pies was contagious and Oliver couldn't be left out.  Even Dotty wanted to be a part of the fun.  After a moment of adapting my expectations I began to see what perfection truly was.  Perfection is 20 happy hands creating fried pies, traditions and memories all in my kitchen.

Here is the recipe:

(just as written by my grandma)

• 5 cups flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cups shortening 
• 1 can milk

Mix liquids and add dry ingredients which have been sifted together.

For best results let stand overnight-but you don't have to.

warm the milk and put lard in it then add the rest

I always heat the milk and put shortening in it then let it cool until warm 

before mix the rest

We chose chocolate, cherry and apple for our fillings.  The chocolate was the best.  Here is what we did.  

1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa mix together and put 2 tbsp on rolled crust, top with a pat of butter.  Fold over, seal, and crimp with fork.

Have oil hot in cast iron skillet.  Fry the pie about one minute each side.  They cook quick!

I hope you enjoy them.  We did!