Gobble Gobble...

Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving has to be one of my favorite holidays.  What's better than food and family?  It's the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and all of the blessings that I have and enjoy building relationships and having fun.  This year I am making two pies, pumpkin, of course, and apple.  Have I mentioned that I really dislike pumpkin pie.  Pretty weird don't you think?  I love pumpkin anything else...pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, even pumpkin soup, but give me a slice of pumpkin pie and I can't even make it through one bite.  So, here's a yummy apple pie recipe for all of those pumpkin pie haters out there, you know who you are!

French Apple Cream Pie

6 medium apples, peeled and sliced

1 tsp. orange peel

2/3 c. orange juice

4 T. butter

1/2 to 2/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

4 1/2 tsp. corn starch

4 1/2 tsp. water

2 T. lemon juice

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 c. chopped almond

1/2 c. flaked coconut

Bake a 10 inch pie shell; cool.  Slice apples 1/4 inch thick to make 4 c. apples.  Combine 2/3 c. orange juice, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.  Add apples and boil gently, uncovered, turning fruit carefully as it cooks.  When apples are translucent, about 10 minutes, and tender, blend corn starch with water and add to apple mixture.  Cook, stirring, until it boils and thickens.  Remove from heat; add lemon juice and stir gently.  Cool to room temperature or chill if making ahead.

In a small bowl, whip cream cheese until fluffy.  Gradually add sugar and beat.  Add orange peel and egg.  Beat a little more.  Turn cooled apple filling into pie shell.  Spoon whipped cream cheese mixture evenly over top.  Combine almonds and coconut and sprinkle over cream cheese mixture.  Bake in a 350 degree oven until lightly browned on top, 20 to 25 minutes.  Chill and serve.